Colors Peaking

The colors here in the Asheville area are just about peaking. We are about 2000 feet here, and the colors are outstanding. If I were out "leaf peeping" here, I would get on the Parkway on US 70 and go south to NC 191, and take that to NC 280 to Brevard, or actually, Pisgah Forest. Turn right at the Wal Mart and go into the Pisgah National Forest. Have fun.
Alex

Late Autumn

I went out hunting this past week. Have no fear; no animals were harmed in this hunting foray. I am not the best hunter in the land. Mostly I was looking at the colors of the Blue Ridge. Some of the trees were spectacular, primarily the Scarlet Oak and many of the Hickories. Last week, I got some photos of Sassafras. The drought seems to have brought out the color in this species.


Not the best picture, but the color is OK. I would like to have a better camera, but oh well...


Here you can see the different leaf forms of Sassafras; three lobes, two lobes, like a mitten, and a single leaf. Below are some I collected.

There are others in our area that have these leaf shapes. Mulberry comes to mind.

Now, about the hunting trip. It was to the Sandy Mush Gameland, a new bit of property bought and managed by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission near Asheville NC. Some wonderful trails through several different forest types, plus some fields and successional communities. Saw a nice beaver pond on Turkey Creek, and it looks like a place to go fishing next summer.
Oh well. Winter is coming in a month, and we will pass through to Spring. See you all next week.
Alex