A Mountain Autumn: Trees Cloaked in a Fusion of Color

Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.  Albert Camus

Now all is drab while frosty mornings give way to teases of approaching snows. What better time to look back with nostalgia at crispy autumn mornings and warm, sunny afternoons when leaves sparkled and danced through the air.

Autumn comes early in the higher mountains of West Virginia, 

often at the beginning of September.

Many years ago when our now grown daughter was very young, my husband and I went with other members of my family to Dolly Sods. Here, pictured with my sister, they stand posed in the middle of a crimson fall glory.

At an altitude of nearly 4000 feet, this U.S. Wilderness Area is located

 in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia.

Here wind swept, one sided spruce and bright red heath
 barrens  create a surreal landscape.

This year, on a glorious mid-September day, we took pictures 

along the Blackwater River both in Blackwater Falls State Park
 and near Davis, WV.

A sleepy, late afternoon reflection near Davis makes us want
to slow down and linger just a little longer.

Already autumn  has cast its spell in the area, 

while giant, ageless rocks stand watch.

Like an early Christmas tree, the Mountain Ash dangles its fall ornaments

with each berry a reminder of the dainty white blossoms in spring.

The Blackwater River flows from the town of Davis down to Blackwater Falls
State Park. On the same afternoon we drove to that area as well.

Ruby colored leaves stand along the river's edge in the park.

The maples' bright reds and outcrops of rocks make
this picture look like an artist's canvas.

These splotches of white are the dainty tufts of cotton grass
growing in the wetlands nearby.

Another area of fascinating fall beauty is the Cranesville Swamp along the West Virginia/Maryland border.

An opening in the trees allows the sun to reflect off the golden ferns
before the tree leaves have even begun to change color.

Nature's lace

This is the view from the overlook near the picnic area at Gaudineer 

Scenic Area in the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia.

Autumn colors are highlighted by the sun on September 26, 2011.

It was about 9:00 am when we drove into the scenic area.  

There was no traffic and this hawk flew from tree to tree 

staying just ahead of us on the narrow road, stopping 

to peer down before moving ahead when we came too close.

Another beautiful fall day along Route 92 in Southern Randolph County.

 Lots of color near Durbin WV.

The nice thing about being retired is the freedom to explore on a beautiful fall day.  This picture was taken on another outing at Canaan Valley Resort in Tucker County, WV on September 28, 2011.

Leaves glide on the wind on this beautiful day in Randolph County in early October.

Looking to the east, across the mountains in the same area.

Taking another trip on October 10, we decided to drive along Laurel Mountain road in Barbour County.

So much color, so much beauty.  This is Nature's last big show
before the area becomes a silhouette drawn in black and white.