The Signs Are There…...North Cascade Wanderings

The signs are there! Back when we lived in Colorado, the third week of September was full fall color for the Aspen trees. It was a time of year that would find us making our way up Ohio Creek near Gunnison, to enjoy it. Standing under those aspens was like experiencing the sun! The yellow was so brilliant and beautiful!

We have Aspens here, but at least around here, the golds are usually somewhat dull in comparison. Perhaps I was just spoiled!

Anyway, the third week of September here is usually nowhere near full fall color. As a matter of fact, you have to generally look really hard to find any! Before going further, that first picture is of a somewhat old growth cedar, dated back to about 1497! Truly an amazing specimen!

Getting back to the signs- this year, our apple trees-all 4 of them dropped the apples in the middle of July and was pretty much finished dropping by the first week or so in August. That has never happened in the 26 years we’ve lived here!

Then I noticed in mid August, a stand of Sumac trees were turning brilliant red, and some of the Vine Maples along South Pass were turning as well. It had begun, but super early. In driving home, you could see a color change happening in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains as well. Hmmmmm…..

Then yesterday, I found this……

So what? The tree must be needing water. Nope- that is a White Pine tree dropping its needles for winter! Here’s a wider shot of the same tree.

Okay-so why? Pine trees shed inner needles in the fall just like deciduous trees do. It re-distributes the tree’s resources for the upcoming winter season. Also, we’ve always been told that depending on the amount of yellow needles, more for example can indicate a harsher winter and less a milder one. I can say that we’ve witnessed in the past harsh winters when the trees were seriously yellow. It’s just begun, so for now, it’s too soon to say. Here’s a Ponderosa Pine close to the house.

The cedar trees, including that giant one at the beginning of the post, have the same phenomenon. It’s not begun just yet. What I will say is once again, it’s early for all of this! Our normal color change here usually doesn’t really begin until towards the end of October in my specific neck of the woods. Full color is usually upwards of mid November to early December.

Snow berries provide food for the birds each winter.

The signs are definitely there-albeit early. What does that mean for our winter? I’m not sure just yet however-something is definitely different this year!

My steps today:

That’s gonna be it for today. Take care and enjoy the rest of your day wherever you are! 🙏🌏🙏

👣🐑☕️🍁🍂🍄‍🟫🍄🎃😁😎👍😊🤩🌙🥱😴

NKJV Acts 1:8

But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

🙏🌹

Picture taken by me and altered by cliptocomic app

@elizabethbit is a member of ladiesofsgs4eva
a sweet group of lady stackers of SGH