The colours of Autumn

The beech trees in the Forest of Dean are so colourful now, but they are all changing rapidly. The plantation I walk through has gone from dark green to paler greens and yellows and are darkening to ochre, dark yellow, copper and burnt umber. However, the effect is one of the whole area being bathed in sunlight, as if the trees are radiating out all the sun they have absorbed since the spring. 

Part of my walk takes me through a mature conifer plantation. The trees here are very tall and the ground covered in mosses and ferns. The encompassing green effect is very calming. These evergreens are surrounded by the beech trees, so the plantation appears swathed in transparent silk scarves, glowing with luminous colours.

It is all glorious.  

Since I wrote this, the bright colours have deepened to bronze, copper and burnt umber as trees withdraw all the sugars from the leaves to store in the trunk and roots. This will keep them going over the winter while they rest. It is much quieter in the woods now. Very peaceful; still glorious.