The arrival of October signals the beginning of Fall in Eliza Howell Park in Detroit. Early in the month, tree leaves are slowly beginning to change color and one can easily anticipate the major transition that will be occurring soon.

For years I have been taking a photo from the footbridge over the Rouge River, facing upstream, at approximately the first day of each month.

This is the most recent.

Almost all the leaves remain on the trees, but some change has begun. The change is not yet dramatic, but it is evident when compared to a month ago

Based on multi-year experience, it is easy to know what will happening over the next couple months. The change in October is significant,  but…

it tends to be surpassed by the change during November.

From December through April the changes are in the extent of snow and ice cover, if any; the trees remain leafless.

By May, new leaves are appearing, first on the sbrubs and small trees of the understory. 

By June, the view is lush with green, a look that remains unchanged well into September.

Nature’s annual seasonal cycle is always fascinating to watch, no matter how predictable and no matter how many years I have watched it. The beginning of October is of major significance in the cycle here in southeast Michigan, announcing as it does that we are again heading into a major change.