A small flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis canadensis) roosting on the Mill Pond. Common as these birds are in New England, even becoming suburban pests in some places, they are rare visitors to the Mill Pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A small flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis canadensis) take flight after briefly roosting on the Mill Pond. Common as these birds are in New England, even becoming suburban pests in some places, they are rare visitors to the Mill Pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

An acorn (Quercus sp.) floats in a "crater" it opened up when it fell into the floating duckweed (Lemna minor) on the Mill Pond. In late summer and early fall, the forest can be downright noisy with the shower of acorns clattering through the branches and plopping into the pond. Most acorns sink, and I suspect those few that float are rotten. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Looking northeast along the narrow western bay of the Mill Pond. The marshy point in the foreground is home to cattails (Typha latifolia), soft rush (Juncus effusus), and other mud-loving plants fading to winter brown, while the northern shore is ablaze with oak (Quercus sp.), white birch (Betula papyrifera), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) against a backdrop of white pine (Pinus strobus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) are among the last deciduous trees to turn color and shed their leaves, blazing with rich red or golden yellow, depending on the species. The American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) are already bare, and only the towering white pines (Pinus strobus) are still green. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) are among the last deciduous trees to turn color and shed their leaves, blazing with rich red or golden yellow, depending on the species. The American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) are already bare, and only the towering white pines (Pinus strobus) are still green. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Again we see oaks (Quercus sp.) turning red and yellow among the bare American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) and the green pines (Pinus sp.). The pitch pines (P. rigida) at left are smaller and bushier than the tall white pines (P. strobus). Notice that the young white birch (Betula papyrifera) near the pitch pines is still bright yellow. Young trees often keep their leaves a little longer than the mature trees of their species. Underneath this young birch is where the beavers built their newest lodge the year after this photo was taken. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

The northern shore of the Mill Pond glows with oak (Quercus sp.) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) upstaging the taller white pines (Pinus strobus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants as the Mill Pond glows with the reflected colors of autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants as the Mill Pond glows with the reflected colors of autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants in the shallows of the narrow western bay of the Mill Pond. Fall, Mine Falls Park

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond, blazing extra bright in the westering sun. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. Even the white pines (Pinus strobus) are burnished by the late afternoon sunshine. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. The small pitch pines (Pinus rigida) at left have a brownish tinge, as they lose nearly half their needles in the fall. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. In this picture, the browning of The pitch pines (Pinus rigida) at left is especially obvious. Unlike most conifers, pitch pines are strongly seasonal, losing nearly half their needles in the fall. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A large fern adds its touch of golden brown to New England's famous fall foliage. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Fall foliage reflected in the Mill Pond. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

An American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) turns golden yellow among the red leaves of silver maple (Acer saccharinum) and the green oaks (Quercus sp.) and pines (Pinus strobus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Maples (Acer sp.) turn yellow and red, while the oaks (Quercus sp.) stay dark green for another week or two. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A small stand of pitch pine (Pinus rigida) on the north shore of the Mill Pond, opposite my favorite sitting rock. The lone birch (Betula papyrifera) poking out of one spot near the left has nearly lost its leaves. Fall, Mine Falls Park

Looking across the narrow western neck of the Mill Pond, the fall foliage reflected in the still water. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Sapling oaks (Quercus sp.) and various herbs prepare for fall on the bank of the Nashua Canal, while the surface of the canal is littered with fallen leaves. Notice that in addition to the leaves of hardwoods, the litter includes many needles of pitch pine (Pinus rigida). Pitch pine is strongly seasonal, losing nearly half its needles in the fall. Fall, Mine Falls Park

Various shrubs and saplings in vibrant fall colors decorate the shore of the Mill Pond. Fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 45 Times.

A red-brown oak (Quercus sp.) forms a perfect backdrop for a yellow-leafed white birch (Betula papyrifera). Fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 144 Times.

A red-brown oak (Quercus sp.) forms a perfect backdrop for a yellow-leafed white birch (Betula papyrifera). Fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 161 Times.

A pair of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) cross the pond as the evening darkens the fall foliage. Fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 48 Times.

A small flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis canadensis) roosting on the Mill Pond. Common as these birds are in New England, even becoming suburban pests in some places, they are rare visitors to the Mill Pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A small flock of Canada geese (Branta canadensis canadensis) take flight after briefly roosting on the Mill Pond. Common as these birds are in New England, even becoming suburban pests in some places, they are rare visitors to the Mill Pond. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

An acorn (Quercus sp.) floats in a "crater" it opened up when it fell into the floating duckweed (Lemna minor) on the Mill Pond. In late summer and early fall, the forest can be downright noisy with the shower of acorns clattering through the branches and plopping into the pond. Most acorns sink, and I suspect those few that float are rotten. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

A young maple tree (Acer sp.) is putting on fall colors in the middle of August. Summer, Mine Falls Park.

Climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). The two different colors of fruits represent different stages of ripening, but not the way most fruits change color. The orange color is a skin that splits and falls off to reveal the red flesh within. Look closely, and you can see this orange skin still attached at the tops of some of the red berries. There is a similar species which is an invader from Asia (C. orbiculatus), but this is the native species. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens). The two different colors of fruits represent different stages of ripening, but not the way most fruits change color. The orange color is a skin that splits and falls off to reveal the red flesh within. Look closely, and you can see this orange skin still attached at the tops of some of the red berries. There is a similar species which is an invader from Asia (C. orbiculatus), but this is the native species. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Climbing bittersweet (Celastrus scandens) entwined in a small white pine (Pinus strobus). The two different colors of fruits represent different stages of ripening, but not the way most fruits change color. The orange color is a skin that splits and falls off to reveal the red flesh within. Look closely, and you can see this orange skin still attached at the tops of some of the red berries. There is a similar species which is an invader from Asia (C. orbiculatus), but this is the native species. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Looking northeast along the narrow western bay of the Mill Pond. The marshy point in the foreground is home to cattails (Typha latifolia), soft rush (Juncus effusus), and other mud-loving plants fading to winter brown, while the northern shore is ablaze with oak (Quercus sp.), white birch (Betula papyrifera), and sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) against a backdrop of white pine (Pinus strobus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) are among the last deciduous trees to turn color and shed their leaves, blazing with rich red or golden yellow, depending on the species. The American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) are already bare, and only the towering white pines (Pinus strobus) are still green. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Oaks (Quercus sp.) are among the last deciduous trees to turn color and shed their leaves, blazing with rich red or golden yellow, depending on the species. The American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) are already bare, and only the towering white pines (Pinus strobus) are still green. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Again we see oaks (Quercus sp.) turning red and yellow among the bare American beeches (Fagus grandifolia) and the green pines (Pinus sp.). The pitch pines (P. rigida) at left are smaller and bushier than the tall white pines (P. strobus). Notice that the young white birch (Betula papyrifera) near the pitch pines is still bright yellow. Young trees often keep their leaves a little longer than the mature trees of their species. Underneath this young birch is where the beavers built their newest lodge the year after this photo was taken. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Ground cedar clubmoss (Lycopodium complanatum) at the foot of an oak (Quercus sp.) remains green among the leaf litter. It will remain green under the snow all winter long. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

The northern shore of the Mill Pond glows with oak (Quercus sp.) and white birch (Betula papyrifera) upstaging the taller white pines (Pinus strobus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants as the Mill Pond glows with the reflected colors of autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants as the Mill Pond glows with the reflected colors of autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A trio of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) feeding on water milfoil (Myriophyllum sp.) and other aquatic plants in the shallows of the narrow western bay of the Mill Pond. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A queen bumblebee (Bombus sp.), probably the last survivor of her hive for this season, crawls through the leaf litter in the autumn chill. Her burrow is the circular hole at the bottom of the picture, a little left of center. Fall, Mine Falls Park

Insect larvae (don't know what kind) snug in their coccoons as they begin the long wait for spring. Fall, Mine Falls Park

Leaves, mostly oak (Quercus sp.), litter the forest floor. Late winter, Mine Falls Park.

A maple seedling (Acer sp.) putting on fall colors. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. Even the white pines (Pinus strobus) are burnished by the late afternoon sunshine. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. The small pitch pines (Pinus rigida) at left have a brownish tinge, as they lose nearly half their needles in the fall. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Trees in fall colors reflected in the Mill Pond. On the opposite bank, a small white birch (Betula papyrifera) stands in front of a beaver lodge about 1/3 of the way from the left-hand edge of the picture. In this picture, the browning of The pitch pines (Pinus rigida) at left is especially obvious. Unlike most conifers, pitch pines are strongly seasonal, losing nearly half their needles in the fall. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A large fern adds its touch of golden brown to New England's famous fall foliage. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A bumblebee (Bombus sp.), torpid from the autumn chill, struggles to save herself from the Mill Pond, where she has fallen in. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A wet, bedraggled bumblebee (Bombus sp.), rescued from drowning in the Mill Pond, crawls through the leaf litter to find the entrance to her burrow. She just might survive hibernation to start her hive all over again in the spring. Fall, Mine Falls Park

A blanket of partridge berry (Mitchella repens) spread around an oak tree (Quercus sp.) and sprinkled with autumn leaves. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Partridge berry (Mitchella repens) and fallen oak leaves (Quercus sp.). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Leaf of a fern turning yellow in autumn. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

A seedling maple (Acer sp.) in fall colors. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

The ground cedar clubmoss (Lycopodium complanatum) remains green all winter, like its namesake tree. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

The large compound leaves of smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) turn scarlet in fall, making this little tree stand out. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Blossom of a smooth sumac (Rhus glabra) setting seed. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) in fall. The two structures that look like pointy cucumbers are the seed pods. They will soon split open, releasing hundreds of fluffy seeds. Fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Early fall, Mine Falls Park.

Calico aster (Aster lateriflorus). Early fall, Mine Falls Park.

A small clump of bushes in the middle of the big meadow north of Crawford Notch. Early fall, White Mountain National Forest.

Looking north across the big meadow north of Crawford Notch. The forest beyond is a typical mix of green spruce and oak with blazing red beech, while most of the birches have already lost their leaves. In the meadow are wilted black-eyed Susans, lupines, and goldenrods holding their seeds until the winter winds scatter them. Early fall, White Mountain National Forest.

An unusual hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium). It is unusually tall, and an unusual color. Most of them turn a deep burgundy in late summer and early fall, but this one ranges from scarlet to orange. Even as these tattered leaves turn color and fall off, the plant is putting forth new leaves to catch the autumn sun after the forest canopy opens up. Early fall, Elephant Head Trail, Crawford Notch State Park.

A large bracket fungus of the family Polyporaceae on a rotten log, fall, Pack Monadnock Downloaded 168 Times.

A tiny seedling maple (Acer sp.) holds onto its fall colors amid the brown litter of earlier fallen leaves. The rhododendrons will remain green all winter. Fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 493 Times.

Oak leaf (Quercus sp.) on a water-smoothed glacial erratic. Fall, Pack Monadnock Downloaded 479 Times.

Mixed undergrowth on the sunlit northern bank of Bemis Brook above Arethusa Falls, including stiff aster (Aster linariifolius), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), hobblebush (Viburnum alnifolium), and numerous ferns and grasses, late summer, Crawford Notch Downloaded 178 Times.

Bakeapple berries (Vaccinium macrocarpon). This is actually a wild cranberry, also called bear berry, and distinct from the bakeapple berry of Newfoundland (Rubus chamaemorus), also called cloud berry. But it tastes like a baked apple, complete with cinnamon. They grow in the bogs on the northern slope of Mount Jackson, and this was a banner year. Most years, I only find two or three ripe berries. Late summer, Presidential Range Downloaded 193 Times.

Nearly-bare branches of oak against the steely sky, late fall, Mine Falls Park Downloaded 336 Times.