What’s It (F)all About?

The vernal equinox (a.k.a. Spring) signals an official end to Winter and the beginning of what many consider the most colorful and lush season of the year.  Six months later, comes the autumnal equinox (a.k.a. Autumn) with its own admirers, of which I am one.

Autumn is a period of transition, when life slowly drains from the land, but instead of fading quietly it goes out in a blaze of glory.

Fall is all about the color; vibrant gold, russets and yellows. This makes it especially exciting for photographers. Even the amateur photographer can get some amazing shots. So grab your digital camera and give it a go. Try to go out at the “magic hour”. This is what professionals call the period beginning a half an hour before sunset. The magic hour produces a completely different light because the sun is very low on the horizon resulting in a directional, but very soft, light. This light, with its very warm tones, enhances the fall colors leading to photos with saturated colors. Go ahead, shoot some, and impress your friends, or put a new locks screen on your i-phone.

 Another color of the season is orange, and who does not think of pumpkins when orange is mentioned?  Nothing symbolizes fall more than the ubiquitous pumpkin.  Even Charlie Brown would be impressed to see how far the Great Pumpkin has come. When I was young, the only pumpkin related food I knew of was pumpkin pie.  This is what the only the grown-ups would indulge in following Thanksgiving dinner.

Today, there are so many possibilities; pumpkin doughnuts, pumpkin latte, pumpkin chili, pumpkin soup, pumpkin bagels, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin yogurt and even pumpkin Pringles. For those over 21 years of age, we have pumpkin beer, pumpkin martinis or a pumpkin coladas. Yum!

So as the days grow shorter and the nights get colder, put on a wooly sweater, grab a spiced apple cider and enjoy your autumn!

-Colleen Brogan