For many years, autumn has been my favorite season, though I guess spring has been gaining ground in that regard. In any case, summer and winter sure ain’t contenders, as I’m not into sweating like a pig nor freezing my balls off.
What is it that puts autumn at the top? Well, the coolish daytime-high temperatures of many of its days please me just fine. And I’m influenced, I believe, by the fact that I’m an October baby. It seems logical to be a fan of the season during which one was born. Actually, I wonder how much truth is in that statement. I’m not sure.
But what I like the most about fall is tree leaves changing color, a spectacle I can’t get enough of. I feel sorry for folks who live in sections of the globe where the extravaganza isn’t staged. In a very real sense, they are being cheated. Many of the deciduous trees in my area have been doing their morphing thing for several weeks, and are looking mighty fine.
I live in a tidy, oldish and unusually hilly neighborhood, part of a town located close to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. In an attempt to keep my bod in halfway-decent shape, I go for walks in the hood fairly regularly. A stroll along the streets two Thursdays ago was a most lovely one. The temperature when I left the house at about 11:00 AM was 57°F (14°C), which was a little lower than it would have been if I were in charge of things, but perfectly acceptable nonetheless. What’s more, the sky was painted a vivid blue, with wads of clouds scattered here and there along its lower regions. I examined the sky closely throughout the walk, since the heavens above almost always are worth looking at and admiring. I’ve been semi-negligent about doing this for much of my life, and recently have tried to become more attentive. A walk I took and wrote about a few months ago got me thinking along those lines.
The color transformations on the Thursday in question knocked my socks off. Shades of orange, gold and cranberry, among others, lit up the neighborhood fabulously. I was particularly drawn to the trees laden in both orange and gold hues. They knew they were something special and proudly showed off their wares. But not boastfully. That’s how confident and assured they were about themselves. The mixture of those colors got to me in a deep way. Not only was it fiery, almost paradoxically it was mellow too.
By the time I arrived home, I had hiked nearly two miles, farther than I was expecting to. Tree leaves with mesmerizing powers had kept me on the streets. Sad to say, the multi-color show will have reached the end of its run by late November, if not sooner. That’s the way Nature rolls.
In 1972, Van Morrison, the singer-songwriter who at age 80 is still going strong, laid down the tracks for Hard Nose The Highway, an album that was released the following year and whose awkward title refers to the importance of trying to persevere through hard times. There are some top-notch tunes on Hard Nose. Maybe the best is Autumn Song, a Van composition that instantly carries me away, so sweet and relaxed is it. The best time and place to listen to Autumn Song, I believe, is late on a fall night, indoors with the lights turned off or way down low. But, with few exceptions, any hour of any day at any location will do just fine. The recording is more than 10 minutes long, by the way. Autumn Song doesn’t overstay its visit, though, because it’s a total charmer. Here it is, anxiously waiting for you to click on the Play button.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
You will have to wait, Neil, a bit longer because here is 5.20 am and everyone is asleep. I am glad that you are looking up to the stars and not under your feet. As always, your writing about the beauty of nature is wonderful! Thank you!
I love your photos!
Joanna
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Hi. I have been looking up a lot more often than I used to. Here in the Philadelphia area, the sky right now is baby blue in color, and almost cloudless.
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The autumn sky is worth looking up at, as winter will change everything, and I hate this time of the year!
Joanna
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I like autumn and spring, probably both equally. I agree totally that summer is too hot and winter is too cold, but I’ve actually spent more than my share in both. Even if I’m a July baby summer definitely isn’t my favourite. Great pictures, Neil. 🍂
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Right, I remember that you used to work way up north in frigid temperatures.
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Excellent photos, accompanied by a great track
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Van the Man!
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Saw him a few years ago at Nice Jazz Festival, he was excellent
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I’m with you on autumn, especially re weather and nature. (I can easily do without American football.) I remember Jack Kerouac writing that October is when everyone seems to “return home,” and that comforting thought has always stuck with me.
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Have you read Big Sur, by Kerouac? It’s a good one.
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No, not yet. Just OTR (several times), Dharma Bums, and Subterraneans. Will put it on my list!
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You were blessed with a great day for your walk. Given good weather this is a beautiful time of the year though when days of rain come along it can be dull. It is important to snatch the good days and make the most of them. You have great colour in your neighbourhood, certainly something to enjoy.
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Many trees here are still looking great. But the show is winding down.
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Gosh, those trees (and the blue sky above them) look gorgeous.
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Hi. It was an excellent day!
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There’s no doubt that autumn is mighty pretty. Thank goodness for digital photography or else we’d spend a fortune on camera film.
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Digital photography is one of the great inventions. It’s fantastic.
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Fall is my favorite time of year. Everything looks so pretty. Even the traffic lights change color.
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A superb observation!
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Great colours, Neil. I think I’m with you there – spiring and autumn, both colourful seasons, not too hot, not too cold. Nice piece by the Van – enjoyed that.
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Hi. Van has never slowed down. He still tours a lot. And he records lots of albums.
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Gotta love the “Colors of Autumn”!
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They are beautiful sights.
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Great song to accompany your photos, my friend. Sadly, we don’t get quite the color show here in North Florida that you get up north, but I’ll take what I can get!
Have a great day!
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I’ll miss the autumn colors when the spectacle ends, that’s for sure.
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Autumn is my favourite season! I love your tree photos; they seem to encapsulate the magic and colours of this time of year!
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It will be kind of sad when all the leaves have dropped from the trees. Winter is approaching!
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I too love the fall colors. I think fall edges out spring a little for me because the apples are so good. Still it’s pretty even.
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You’re right about apples. Along that line, I love Bartlett pears, which are at their best this time of year.
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I always enjoy your good blogs, Neil and the photographs. Spring (birth-month and two sons) just has the edge for me, but Autumn is very close too…spent in some beautiful venues over the years: Canada in the 50s a gem-like dream. . .and Wales (evacuation WW11) and many spots in the UK. I’m always scribbling poems, and hope you like the following:
THE THIRD SEASON
Nature in her wisdom
makes way for another season:
summer acquiesces –
makes us muse upon the reason.
Now autumn’s paint-brush
has burnished summer’s trees:
has stippled, veined and spotted
and prettied up the leaves.
Amber, scarlet, ochre leaves
drift down as light as whispers,
to kiss this mother earth of ours
like hushed and soft-sung vespers.
The light is muted, delicate –
sky quilted grey and blue,
as Zephyr’s cheeks, extended, blow
away the multi-coloured carpet,
oh so new.
Love Joy x
PS Thanks for the Van Morrison song. I enjoyed it, not having heard him before!!
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Hi Joy. I’m really glad to hear your thoughts about autumn. Your poem is terrific. It is very evocative!
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The colors are amazing Neil, and I too enjoy just getting lost wandering and looking. I think the sound is just as important for me, crunching those fallen leaves under my feet and when you find a thick pile getting to swoosh your feet through them is magic.
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You’re right about the sounds. I’m glad you reminded me about that. I’m going to crunch some leaves today!
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Good for you. Enjoy…and listen 🙂
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Enjoyed your photos and song! This is a beautiful time of the year!
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Hi Joyce. It’s gorgeous outside today. It’s hard to beat.
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That looks so vivid. I share your love of autumn even though I was born on the opposite end of the season, spring.
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Hi. Autumn has a very comforting quality.
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Enjoyed your musings, the photos and the track. One of the things I miss in Athens, very few trees with leaves that change color
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My wife and I today were admiring some trees near our house. The ones with red-hued leaves really caught our attention.
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Fall and Winter are my two favorite seasons, Neil. And to be honest, Fall is starting to take the lead as the years go on. The colors are truly amazing, the air seemingly gets clearer (certainly crisper), and all the traditional food and beverages that come to the forefront help enhance the season even more for me. One of the reasons I have lived in the Philly area for so long is the enjoyment of having all four seasons. I need the variety and this area delivers, especially in Fall.
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Hi Bruce. I like having four distinct seasons too. I think it would be kind of boring to live somewhere where each day is more or less like all the others.
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A lovely tribute to autumn, Neil. Here in Texas the only hint we get of fall is the daytime temperatures are below ninety. We’ll take it though.
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Hi John. I’ve lived in the northeast all my life, so I’ve always seen the autumn color-changing extravaganza. I never get tired of it.
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I have lived in the Midwest and the Northeast, so I know how lovely fall can be.
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Yes, it’s Autumn and Spring for me here in Scotland too.
Love the description of leaves as being cranberry – not heard that colour being used before but very accurate.
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I saw a bunch of trees with cranberry-colored leaves today!
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I do love the colors of autumn, but actually prefer to live where they aren’t around. It’s too stressful to see them come and go so fast!
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I know what you mean. I wish the show lasted for at least one extra month.
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I agree with you, I also feel sorry for people who never get to experience autumn every year. To me it is one of nature’s most beautiful gifts.
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It’s something to look forward to each year.
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I do miss autumn colours….but here you are to remind me of them! Thank you.
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I’m glad if I helped!
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I agree, autumn is breathtaking. The colours are magnificent. Thank you for the lovely photo’s. I love the way you have captured the sunlight passing through the foliage.I look forward to the winter edition.
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Hi. I have trouble coming up with story ideas. So, there’s a good chance I’ll write a winter-themed article!
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Early Autumn is often beautiful here in Ireland. Right now though, it’s cool and damp. But Van the Man brightens it up. Thanks for that!
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I’m a big fan of his albums from the 1970s. I think my favorite of those is Tupelo Honey.
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I also love the autumn colors, Neil. Sad to say, we’re robbed of such a spectacle in the City of Angels 😦 Enjoyed your song choice 🙂
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Your city’s Dodgers are quite a team. Two championships in a row!
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Thanks, Neil. I don’t follow the sport, but I got caught up in watching the celebration broadcast yesterday on our local TV channel.
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Autumn is my favorite also. It is beautiful. I live in the Midwest. So, I experience all four seasons. And I have to admit that when I lived in the southwest for a few years, I missed all of the seasons, even winter!
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Having all four seasons is where it’s at!
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I’m a great Van fan too, Neil — and I love the colours of Autumn —
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Van has made a remarkable number of albums over the years. Wikipedia says he’s recorded 45 studio albums. Amazing!
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he’s been a busy boy 🙂
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Looking up is a worthwhile pass time if you ask me and I very much like the idea of those gold and orange being proud but not boastful.
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They are wise and well-adjusted.
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Such a lovely peak into your world! I felt like I was there with you. Van Morrison song is lovely as well. Enjoy your leaf peeping!
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Hi Jan.
I looked at lots of gorgeous trees today.
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Loved your photos and the tune, Neil!
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Thanks very much.
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Well, first of all, Happy (belated) Birthday, Neil 🥳
Secondly, I love spring, but I suppose that’s because of your prediction that people love the season in which they were born.
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I can hardly believe how old I am!
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Stunning images, Neil. I’m a fan of autumn, supposedly more settled weather with cooler nights and still warm during the day. Spring here is too unpredictable not to mention a really blardy annoying wind.
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Among people who live in regions where there are four distinct seasons, I wonder which season is the favorite. My guess is summer.
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gorgeous picture 💯
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Lovely photos, Neil!
Here in The Land of Oz, we barely had Spring because someone flicked the summer switch early. In Queensland (sub-tropical), our Autumn is barely noticeable, and I love the colours in the northern hemisphere during Fall.
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It’s an amazing show. I think I appreciate it more than ever.
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Interesting read.
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To me it’s the cosy mess that autumn brings with it that make it special.
I’m a April baby but spring always depressed me🤷♀️
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Speaking of leaves, I was outside for the past hour, raking up thousands of them. It’s pretty good exercise.
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I have to do mine too but it’s too wet at the moment😉
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Count me as another autumn fan. It has been a dry summer and early fall in Central Indiana, so the colors have been more muted than normal, so I appreciate the vivid ones all the more.
Had not heard that Van Morrison song before, but you are right – it is just lovely. The chord progressions are really fascinating.
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Hi. There are some other good songs on Hard Nose. It’s not one of his greatest albums, but overall it’s a good one.
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Great photos, I’ve been noticing the change of colors in the leaves too. Just beautiful.
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Enjoy the leaves. They are invigorating!
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Autumn colours are beautiful though i could do without the rain that often accompanys ours!
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Rain is a pain!
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I love the Autumn colours. They really say that the season is changing. Enjoy. Mel
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Hi Mel. Autumn had got what it takes, for sure. Have a good rest of the week!
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I live in San Francisco, one of the “sections of the globe where the extravaganza isn’t staged.” And I do feel as if I’m being cheated! Thank you for allowing me to experience fall through your lens.
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Many of the trees here are still looking good!
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I understand why you love Fall so much! It’s been so dry here this summer that I was afraid we wouldn’t see any good colors on the trees this year, but unexpected rain in October seemed to do the trick. My area isn’t nearly as pretty as yours, but I’m still enjoying it!
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Trees are the greatest. And there’s such a variety of them. Trees are super-important to the health of our planet.
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Autumn is my favourite season as well. I’m glad Ontario puts on a dazzling display of fall colours. Sadly most of our leaves have now fallen and we may even get a bit of snow this weekend!
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Get out your shovel!
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I also love the autumn, it’s such a pretty time of year. We’ve been lucky here in the UK, the especially warm summer has meant our autumn has been particularly vibrant. The colours of the trees have been spectacular.
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Here’s to autumn!
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I especially love the colours, and the pungent smell of woodsmoke from the chimneys. And my favourite fall song is ‘Autumn Leaves’, with its melancholy melody and lyric.
Loved your pictures of the trees, too!
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Here’s some interesting info about Autumn Leaves:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autumn_Leaves_(1945_song)
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I also enjoy how you connect the experience with music, especially Van Morrison’s Autumn Song. It’s a perfect pairing.
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Hi, Melody. I listened to Autumn Song again today. I like it a lot!
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I love Autumn too, Neal, with the trees changing the color of the leaves. This Autumn though has been super rainy and before I grow duck feet I hope we have some dry weather. Love your beautiful tree changing leaves pictures.
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Don’t grow duck feet!
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I love fall (even LA has some of that) and I also love dusk. And that song, by the way, struck me in a weird way, a weird good way. I don’t remember it but maybe I have heard it at least a few times since ’72, but it filled me with nostalgia and strange happy feelings.
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Wow, that’s excellent! It’s really something when music affects us very, very deeply. Doesn’t happen all too often.
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