In the spring, beach leaves are a pale and delicate green, the sun passes through them easily and there’s something enchanting about a beech wood in direct sunlight. As the year advances, the beech leaves darken to a deep green that doesn’t let very much light through.
However, come the autumn, trees pull what they can back out of leaves, and the dark green fades to a delicate yellow, and then leaves turn a coppery colour before they fall. The impact on light in a beech wood at this point is startling.
A lot of light comes through the pale yellow leaves, but, filtered in this way it comes through as much more golden. If there are also fallen beech leaves, you get the amazing effect of honey tinted light interacting with coppery tones on the woodland floor. It’s a subtle thing, something you could miss if you weren’t looking for it. If you stop and pay attention, it’s quite a remarkable sight.
Beauty is around us. Re-enchantment is an everyday option if you go looking for it.
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:45 am
I think beech leaves are on of my favourite things at this time of year and agree totally about the magic of how the sun comes through their ephemeral paleness and dashes against the copper then you get the russets on the ground. Lime can have a similar effect but not quite so striking.
November 2nd, 2018 at 10:54 am
Reblogged this on Blue Dragon Journal and commented:
I was lucky enough to witness this splendid color in a community park in Eastern Washington State. European Beeches aren’t native to the States, so only in gardens and parks will you see these grey columned beauties. They are a real sight to see in the autumn.
November 2nd, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Reblogged this on dreamweaver333.