31: Fall Colors

Dear Friend,

Thank you for being here to read this week’s Tracks. As I mentioned last week, in this letter we are sharing a small collection of Frank’s 2025 Autumn photos.

In the following paragraphs of this letter, Frank describes what Fall Colors mean to him:

I have been drawn to the changing of the leaves like a moth to a flame.

For many years of my life I have seen Autumn as a great reminder of the promise of winter, the celebration of color and light. The threshold of nature’s steel trap door slowly closing.

Animals of all sizes scurrying to-and-fro, preparing for the coming winter, like humans getting our home ready for the rains, cold, and dark skies. The harvest in the fields are picked.

The days grow shorter. And the sun’s UV’s are more gentle on our eyes.

The leaves turning yellow, then orange and red are a visual reminder that another year has passed.

Autumn is such a dramatic reminder of the special relationship between our past year and the promise of change in the new. 

Can’t remember a time in my life when I did not run full speed to the trees changing color, after all, my entire life’s work has always been to document light and color!

This year was no exception. The bounty was plentiful.

My photographic process is to roam alone among the trees and valleys, streams and meadows, and just walk and feel the warm, sometimes cool, breezes pass over and though me, to listen to the leaves quaking, birds chirping, streams and rivers rippling and roaring.

I spend more time feeling than documenting.

Early morning and late afternoon sunlight dancing though the colorful leaves excite my eyes, and calm my chattering thoughts. I feel complete, grounded and inspired. Then the tripod and camera come out.

The best that I can hope for is to bring back post-cards of my observations to share, little reminders of the magic and splendor of nature’s visual gifts.

Pablo Picasso said, “Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working.”

The muse of the fall colors did find me working and they did inspire my heart and soul.

These are a few of my favorite images from this year’s walkabout. I do hope you find inspiration and joy in them as well.

As always, we are grateful for your good and caring thoughts in our direction and invite you to Write to Us when you have a chance, we look forward to hearing from you!  

Keeping you in our daily Thanksgivings and wishing you a beautiful week ahead!

Gently Be,

Leslie and Frank