Turning leaves

Having lived on the tenth floor of a high-rise for the past 14 years, I witnessed the Lacey Woods that grew on the steep rise adjacent to Hall's Hill in Arlington, Virginia. George Washington once surveyed the area and selected the location as where he might one day settle. Having inherited Mt. Vernon, he gave it up.

Lacey Woods hosted many tall trees including oaks and maples. From where I sat, I never experienced the falling leaves.

Now, situated along the Sycamore Creek in Montgomery, Ohio, I experience the seasons at ground zero. At the studio-patio level, I am 15 feet from the creek bed and literally in the honeysuckles. At the living room level, I am above the honeysuckle and can see the grapevines growing onto the sycamore, walnut, and maple trees.

Looking across the creek, I see red leaves that I first confused to be flowers. They are the turning leaves on five-leaf ivy.

The heat has taken its toll, and trees having been giving up their leaves. I don't know if this is early or normal, but I sweep them up every day.

Across the creek

Living room view