Fotografaire - Blog and Photography

A Short Explanation Why Leaves Change Color

September 26, 2006 on 10:45 pm | In General, Photography |

Autumn is the season, the time of year, that we see leaves changing colors. Depending on the weather variables, such as, temperatures, humidity, sunlight, etc., some leaves hang on longer than others. Why is this…have you ever wondered??

Photosynthesis is the process, whereby water and carbon dioxide are turned into glucose, which nourishes the plant or tree. Chlorophyll is a chemical that helps in the photosynthesis process.

As the days get shorter, during autumn, photosynthesis ceases to take place, and therefore, the chlorophyll that makes the leaves their green color, lessens in tone, and diminishes, and then we see the leaves begin to change colors.

Once autumn begins, leaves begin go from green, to varied tones of red, orange, purple, and all colors in between.

Cooler nights, and the sun, help to turn glucose into the beautiful red tones, that we see in some leaves, especially in maple trees.

The next time you take a walk, or you look out of your window, or step outside to pick up your paper, take time to notice the colors, the beautiful tones of autumn.

I love autumn…it is my favorite season of the year. I love the textures, the colors and vibrancy of the leaves, their blaze of color across the landscape. I love the scent of autumn, the scent of the leaves, and love the sound of the leaves rustling beneath my feet, as I shuffle through the leaves in my yard, or the leaves on the side of the street.

Some beautiful music has been written about the season, and one song in particular comes to mind…Joseph Kosma’s music…Johnny Mercer’s lyrics The Autumn Leaves, and I listened to two different versions, one sung by by Nat King Cole, and one sung by by Frank Sinatra, earlier, today.

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