Creeping Autumn

Ah, Autumn in south Georgia.  It’s taking its own sweet time, hitting the snooze button more than once.  The high here didn’t reliably drop below the 80s until after mid-October.  Something vaguely resembling a chill is in the air, but the trees seem disinclined to respond.   Driving through several counties today, I noted a distinct lack of organization in the forest.  Some leaves were changing halfheartedly; this oak was  green save for a brilliant cluster on the end of a branch, while that yellow sweetgum was surrounded by  more-or-less green cousins.  An occasional splash of red marked a sassafras that was tired of waiting.  Some don’t even try, like that persimmon that quietly darkens until it withers.  Other trees brighten only a few days before fading brown.   By and large, though, the hardwoods were as green as the pines.  Things will change in the next couple of weeks, but this isn’t the deep north woods…

Update:  what a difference a week makes. Still patchy, but more of the trees are hopping on the bandwagon.  According to the prediction maps, we are in the peak time for fall color here.  Temperatures are moderating, so that’s the important thing.