Uncommon colors in a young sycamore
Near the end of my visit to Lost Maples on November 14th I came across a sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, that in spite of being just a sapling had some of the yellowest leaves I’d ever seen in that species. A few of the other leaves had turned a maroon that also struck me as unusual for a sycamore.
Growing adjacent to the sapling and even partly mixed in with it was some bushy bluestem, Andropogon glomeratus, a native grass that co-starred in the previous post.
© 2014 Steven Schwartzman
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Lovely rich colours! Have a happy holiday season. 🙂
Jane
December 13, 2014 at 5:50 AM
Same to you, Jane, down there in the Antipodes.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 8:33 AM
This is one of my favorites of your fall collection. Not only the colors, but the shapes of the curling and drying leaves are beautiful. And doesn’t that bushy bluestem in the foreground look like a painter’s brush?
shoreacres
December 13, 2014 at 7:23 AM
When I got to your words “fall collection” I suddenly thought about the stylized events at which clothing designers show off their latest fashions. Those creations are often outlandish, but to my mind the natural fall collection shown above—call it inlandish if you like—outdoes them and costs a whole lot less money.
Yes, the bushy bluestem looks like a painter’s brush, and it wouldn’t surprise me if I learned that various American Indians used bushy bluestem that way (if any reader happens to know, please tell us).
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 7:42 AM
They do that brownish red here all of the time. I do not think that I have ever seen them as just yellow, so your revelation is just as shocking to me! 🙂
Elisa
December 13, 2014 at 8:15 AM
Brown is quite common for sycamores here too, but I don’t think I’ve seen much of the shading into maroon, or maybe I just haven’t been observant enough.
I reacted to the bright yellow the same way you did. I’ve seen occasional yellow in sycamore leaves, like the backlit (and therefore color-saturated) one I showed here two years ago,
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/2012/12/31/sycamore-leaf-and-clouds/
but the most prominent leaves on the sapling in today’s post had greater areas of yellow than I’m used to seeing and therefore grabbed my attention.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 8:32 AM
I love this, what a feast for the eyes, absolutely glorious colors combined with intricate shape and details. Beautiful close up shot, fall perfection!
marksshoesbyevamarks
December 13, 2014 at 10:43 AM
You’ve summed it up so nicely, Eva. Thanks.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 11:07 AM
This is great, Steve. It should be hanging on a wall somewhere. Really, really nice.
Steve Gingold
December 13, 2014 at 10:55 AM
Thanks for your appreciation, Steve. In addition to blue skies, tight shots seem to be another common hallmark in my work.
Eve has been after me for a long time to get some new images hanging on the walls. The ones that are up are from the 1970s, so I guess it’s time for some renovating.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 11:10 AM
It’s the same here, Steve. I finally hung a current print last year, but everything else is as old as yours…or older. Sounds like a good winter project.
Steve Gingold
December 13, 2014 at 11:12 AM
Yes, I may finally acquiesce this winter.
Steve Schwartzman
December 13, 2014 at 11:35 AM
I will have to agree with Shoreacres, this is beautiful indeed. I am so envious that colors persist ‘down south.’ Pennsylvania’s palette is sorely limited … already. D
Pairodox Farm
December 13, 2014 at 6:34 PM
Yes, even into December we’ve had some fall foliage and wildflowers. As you noted, that’s not unusual down here, but it’s enough to create envy in those of you up north.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2014 at 12:10 AM
Beautiful colours!
photoleaper
December 13, 2014 at 6:38 PM
They are, and they certainly grabbed my attention when I noticed them.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2014 at 12:11 AM
Congratulations!
I have nominated your blog for the Award of Excellence.
More about this nomination is at
http://sedge808.com/2014/12/14/award-of-excellence-thank-you-dear-kitty-some-blog/
sedge808
December 13, 2014 at 9:41 PM
I’m glad to hear you were recognized for this award. I also appreciate your thinking of me, but I decided a few years ago, when I was new to this world, that I’d let people’s appreciation of my posts be reward enough for me and that I’d not entertain overt awards. Thanks again, and I hope you’ll understand.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2014 at 12:16 AM
I understand completely.
sedge808
December 14, 2014 at 12:46 AM
Thank you.
Steve Schwartzman
December 14, 2014 at 8:02 AM