A Strange Autumn; Frost and Foliage

First frost, light but pretty (click to enlarge)
Olympus E-M1 Mark II, 12-100mm f/4 PRO lens @ 34mm; 1/100th sec. @ f/5.6; ISO 400

So far this has been an interesting year, weather wise.  We have had a very wet year and the latter part of the summer/early autumn has been mostly above average.  Not many days below average.  In my 45 years of living here and consciously keeping track (as a photographer would), peak autumn foliage color is consistently around the second week of November.  Here it is in the second week of December, a full month after a normal autumn, and the leaves are still very bright and colorful and have only started falling off my deciduous trees en masse this past week.

On the other hand, as opposed to August and September, November has been on the cold side, below normal temperatures, but not cold enough for a good hard frost.  We had our first frost, albeit a light one, just the other day when the temperature and moisture finally gave us some white on the ground.  Our first hard frost, according to those who are the experts, averages around the third week of November.  We haven't had that yet.

I kind of like the dichotomy.  Cold starting to push in with the last vestiges of color still trying to hang on.

There is currently a huge record breaking snowstorm in North Carolina and Virginia.  Unfortunately for me, the Virginia part of the snowstorm is about 50 miles west of me.  I grew up with a lot of snow and have always loved snow.  I was hoping the powerful low pressure system generating this storm would have moved about 75 miles east so we could enjoy the silence, awe and grandeur of another of nature's wonderment.  But it was rain and sleet that is in the cards for us.  Still sleeting outside this morning.

Colorful leaves still on the trees (click to enlarge)
Fujifilm X-T3; 16-55mm f/2.8 lens @ 34mm; 1/150th sec. @ f/16: ISO 400

I don't want to forget those who will feel the wrath, discomfort and dismay this storm may bring.  For those of you who must endure, I wish you all the best.

Join me over at Instagram @dennisamook or my website, www.dennismook.com. 

Thanks for looking. Enjoy! 

Dennis A. Mook 

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