Fall colors

The dogwood across the street is remarkably vivid this year, a welcome standout, in this fall of little to no color yet. 

I've been admiring it for a few days, but posting an image of pressed fall leaves yesterday, has reminded me of how I look forward to the fall color season each year here in the Eastern U.S.  "Fall color" and "fall leaves" brought up numerous posts over the last decade.

remarkably red leaves for a dogwood!

"Vintage" laminated fall leaves

Growing up in Texas, fall color was limited to relatively few species;  while my mom was still alive, I routinely sent her pressed or laminated leaves in the fall, as she loved receiving them.  I have some of those laminated leaves still; they're muted shades of yellow, tan, and brown now, but still nice.



 They're on top of a vintage wooden office box on my desk, a welcome remembrance.

watercolor pencil and ink drawing of a dogwood leaf

I thought I'd try to do a drawing of one of the dogwood leaves that had already fallen.  The color ranges, when observed closely, were remarkable -- hard to evoke in a simple watercolor method.  The leaves are a dappled red color, with dark splotches, and their curvy shapes challenging for perspective and shadow.





It was nice to sit at my table looking out into the forest.  I'm glad it's been waiting for me.