It is Autumn here in Australia. Needless to say, one of the most beautiful times because of the changing leaves.
Canberra’s deciduous trees transform our city into a tapestry of colour as their leaves change to display vivid reds, purples, oranges and yellows.
So what causes the beautiful displays of autumnal colour? The usual green colour of Spring and Summer leaves is the result of chlorophyll – the chemical that enables the plant to photosynthesise and produce the energy it needs to grow.
In Autumn, the tree starts to break down the chlorophyll and stores it to have on hand as extra energy when Spring comes.
This means that the green pigment in the leaf is no longer dominant and other colours start to show through.
This process in itself is incredible and a true wonder – beauty on a whole other level.
And of course, it makes for awesome Autumn photography and inspiration for songs and poems…
Some of my own work:
A classic song Autumn Leaves, as performed by Eva Cassidy:
Lyrics/Song by Joseph Kosma, Jacques Prévert and Johnny Mercer, 1945
The falling leaves drift by my window
The falling leaves of red and gold
I see your lips the summer kisses
The sunburned hands I used to hold
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear old winter’s song
But I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
I miss you most of all my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall
By Sarah 
Great autumn colors down there! And Eva Cassidy is one of my favorites. Perfect combination.
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Loved your post – Autumn is great though you have to have deciduous trees to make it worthwhile – gum trees don’t cut it! I read that the coloured stuff in the leaves is actually a form of anti-freeze – so if you simply cut off all the leaves before the trees have sucked up the anti-freeze – the tree might freeze to death!
Not being picky but the song Autumn Leaves was written in 1945.. though Eva Cassidy’s cover is certainly one of the greats.
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wow! I didn’t know about the anti-freeze! thank you for the correction. I will amend to reflect Eva Cassidy performing Autumn Leaves. 👍🏻
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