What happens to prairie flameleaf sumac’s leaves in the fall

On November 17th I photographed some prairie flameleaf sumacs (Rhus lanceolata) beginning to do their autumn thing on an undeveloped property off Seton Center Parkway. As you look at what was the last of just over a hundred photographs I took on my visit to the site in northwest Austin on that sunny fall afternoon, let your eyes wander over the dense compound leaves that still favored yellow and orange over the red that is usually the destiny of this species, prime and reliable source of fall color that it is in central Texas, and prime as well in my life as a photo follower of the seasons here.

Today’s is the third episode in a little series that is carrying prairie flameleaf sumac from the beginning of August through the latter part of November. At the same time, this post begins a tribute to fall in central Texas that will go on for the next couple of weeks. Fasten your seat belts ’cause it’s going to be a colorful ride.

(I’ve decided to postpone more pictures from the Great American Southwest Adventure so you can see some of the wonderful things that have been going on in central Texas before they get too out of sync with the dates of my posts. The trip pictures are already a couple of months old, so they’ll keep just fine and should provide a good contrast with the bleaker weather we’re liable to get here in late December and January.)

© 2014 Steven Schwartzman