Write-up by Jacqueline Bennett Photos by Michelle Larned & Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com

Photo by Michelle Larned: Mike and Melane enjoy New England foliage from atop a mountain at Devil’s Hopyard State Park in East Haddam, Conn.

Photo by Michelle Larned: The beauty of autumn along Connecticut’s serene Lake Hayward.

New England is known for the brilliance of its autumn foliage. In Connecticut, breathtaking views have been bountiful this season. Some tree crowns began turning in the latter part of August – by October, the landscapes awash in rich colors, have rendered vistas so beautiful there is joy simply in being alive to drink it all in.

Good news for Nutmeggers and other leaf peepers, areas in Connecticut are predicted to hold their color for two more weeks through to November 15, according to the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

From orchards and pastures in the “Quiet Corner” to hills of the City of Village Charm in Manchester, along farmland in Glastonbury and rural Coventry to lovely Lake Hayward in East Haddam, to atop a mountain in Devil’s Hopyard State Park, autumn’s majesty has been everywhere.

Where do the colors come from? The DEEP writes,”Indian Legend has it that celestial hunters slew the Great Bear autumn and the spilled blood turned the leaves red. The yellow of fall came from fat splattering out of a kettle as the hunters cooked their prize.”

Colorful hayride in Eastford, Conn. – photo by JB.

Photo by Jacqueline Bennett New England church steeple amidst autumn foliage as seen  from a Manchester, Conn. hilltop.

Though less engaging than this legend, the DEEP then offers a scientific reason pointing out that changing leaf colors are actually due to a chemical process, triggered by warm days and cold nights. The brightest colors emerge as a result of  cool days – New Englanders describe as “crisp” – accompanied by chilly but not yet freezing nights.

Botti Fruit Farm, Glastonbury, Conn. – photo by JB

Cows graze (top left) in a Pomfret, Conn. pasture against a background of changing leaves – photo by JB.

“Connecticut – still revolutionary”  http://www.ctvisit.com/dontmiss/details/174 notes on its website that historically Connecticut’s foliage season runs longer than it does for our neighbors to the north. Conditions this past summer laid a foundation for a grand fall. Christitopher Martin, Director/State Forest at bureau of Natural Resources/DEEP is quoted and says that rainfall was only about an inch below normal with eastern regions a bit dryer, so trees are healthy and without annoying fungal disease. As well, there was an absence of extreme heat which can “stress” trees.

Farmland in rural Coventry, Conn. – photo by JB

On the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, Conn. – photo by JB

Shared too by “Connecticut – still revolutionary” was a secret , well , “a liitle known fact” – colors tend to remain strong along the Connecticut River “at the mouth” of Long Island Sound between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme and traveling up towards East Haddam. Go to http://www.depdata.ct.gov/forestry/foliage/foliagemap.htm to check the state foliage report.

Vivid colors are glorious, but following that glory even the muted tones have appeal. Don’t miss the remaining opportunity to enjoy this spectacular time of year!

Michelle (Writer’s note: Featured photography by my niece Michelle Larned.)