My Favorite Maple Tree

I don’t know if it’s because this tree stands by Chartiers Creek where the microclimate often seems to create brilliant colors, but I watched this sugar maple for years turn brilliant orange next to the red maple’s deeper crimson. I’m not sure how old these trees are, but the sugar maple didn’t leaf out as fully in 2008, and just didn’t wake up in 2009. I’m glad I photographed it from several angles in the prior years, with that beautiful intensely ceruleam autumn sky enhancing the varying warm orange tones of the leaves.