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One Leaf, Two Leaves… Okay, Fall Colours Are On

I rarely watch or remember commercials but for some reason, this one stuck in my mind. I think it aired about twelve years ago, back when I still found watching TV entertaining. At the time, it helped me learn English and understand North American culture. I actually enjoyed commercials—I could discover products, marketing gimmicks, pop culture jokes and their straightforward message was easy for me to understand.

This is how I remember the script:

A bunch of kids are playing in a residential street. It’s a typical sunny summer day and there isn’t a single cloud in the sky. Suddenly, one kid stops and lets out one big scream, pointing at something on the ground. His friends gather around him and start screaming as well. Finally, the camera zooms in and reveals a single red leaf on the ground. Voice-over: “it’s back-to-school time, kids!”

Like these kids, I almost screamed when I saw the first red leaf on the grey asphalt. I like summer and I dread winter. I live in the wrong country, I know.

But then, I remembered that this transition season doesn’t have to suck (looking at you, spring). In Canada, it’s actually an enjoyable time of the year. There is Thanksgiving, Halloween, plenty of cool squashes and pumpkin spice drinks and treats (there is a huge fanbase for them, trust me!), the days are cooler but the temperature is still warm enough…

… and of course, fall colours. You can’t underestimate the impact of fall foliage on the mood. Seriously, it’s amazing. We don’t have sad-looking trees and rotten leaves, we are treated to an explosion of colours. Here and there, you can see random passers-by pulling out their cellphone to snap a picture of a tree, a single leaf, a road covered with leaves.

We used to look for the best spots to admire fall colours—top choices are, of course, Gatineau Park, but also Vincent Massey Park, Rideau Hall or the Rideau Canal. But these past two years, I realized that fall beauty is all around us, no matter where we are. You can walk in a small street in a bland residential neighbourhood and spot an amazing red maple tree. Just keep your eyes open and enjoy beauty where you find it!

Single leaves on the ground are amazing as well. Each displays a unique range of colours and patterns along the veins. Just grabbing a handful and looking at them one by one makes you appreciate the beauty of the world. No, I’m not stoned, thank you for asking.

Over the past ten days, I tried to capture this year’s fall atmosphere—under the rain, during cooler days and before the wind blows all the leaves away. Enjoy!

Experimental Farm path behind the house
Experimental Farm path behind the house
Leaves and tree trunk
Leaves and tree trunk
Fallen leaves
Fallen leaves
Fallen leaf
Fallen leaf
Fallen leaves
Fallen leaves
Around the neighbourhood
Around the neighbourhood
From the bottom up
From the bottom up
Yellow leaves
Yellow leaves
Hole in green leaf
Hole in green leaf
Yellow leaf
Yellow leaf
Red leaf
Red leaf
Rain drops
Rain drops
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Single red leaf
Single red leaf
Fall colours on the ground
Fall colours on the ground
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall colours in the forest
Fall colours in the forest
Rain puddle
Rain puddle
Fall leaves along the path
Fall leaves along the path
Fall colours
Fall colours
Fall colours
Fall colours
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fall foliage
Fallen leaves
Fallen leaves
Leaf stuck in green grass
Leaf stuck in green grass
After the rain
After the rain
Yellow leaf
Yellow leaf
Apparently, trees need socks to handle the season
Apparently, trees need socks to handle the season
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Zhu

French woman in English Canada.

Exploring the world with my camera since 1999, translating sentences for a living, writing stories that may or may not get attention.

Firm believer that nobody is normal... and it’s better this way.

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