Welp, it’s happened. Fall fell, at least here in Eastern Washington. Despite a lengthy Autumn due to warmer than normal temps in September and October, we experienced weeks of unprecedented Autumn color. Now comes November with the first frost and the leaves have danced to the ground into piles of color. Thankfully, no leaves in our yard. Yet.
“Fallen leaves lying on the grass in the November sun bring more happiness than daffodils.”
Cyril Connolly
The Sunday Stills theme this week is leaves and trees. No matter which hemisphere you live in, you have these!
Before the first frost and a few random snowflakes, our overnight temperatures were in the upper 30s to low 40F (3-5C), which kept the leaves on the trees a few more days. The bright yellow trees in their Autumn glory seem to be illuminated with sunshine on this late October gray day. I saw this view as I drove home from town and literally turned around and parked on this street, hopped out of the car, and took several photos.
Aside from amazing trees in our area like red-leafed maple and golden aspen, all juxtaposed onto deep green evergreens, a new (to me) tree has captured my imagination. (Hint: in the above image, you can see it to the left).
Why is it special? Before I share, just let me say that you already know my love for sunflowers and pine trees. Of course, here in Eastern Washington, evergreens are everywhere (they don’t call Washington the “Evergreen State” for nothing). I posted a few months ago about my surprise at discovering wild sunflowers growing amidst the pine forests.
So…drumroll please…imagine my joy at discovering a conifer (notice I didn’t say evergreen), that turns golden yellow in the Autumn and drops its needles just like a deciduous tree!
Whaaattt? A Golden Pine Tree?
The Western Larch (sometimes called Tamarack) is a majestic conifer found at higher elevations in the Pacific Northwest and into Canada.
This photo started it all when my brother-in-law showed me his pics from his weekly drives to Montana. I thought “how beautiful, look at the sunlight on those pine trees!” He said the trees were actually yellow! Swoon. This image shows the mountainside covered in larches shrouded in gray fog.
Without trees, mountains, fogs or rains, the Sun cannot create its own magic in the morning!
Mehmet Murat Ildan
In a foggy morning, sunshine coming through the trees looks so divine that we seriously think it is the hand of the very divinity itself!
Mehmet Murat Ildan
Western larch (Larix occidentalis) and subalpine larch (Larix lyalli) grow in the interior Pacific Northwest (Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington) of the U.S. and British Columbia, Canada. They are conifer trees like pines because they have needles instead of leaves, and their seeds grow in cones. Unlike pines they are not evergreen; they are deciduous. In the autumn, the needles of larches turn golden and then drop off the branches. Western larch is used for the production of Venice turpentine. The wood is highly prized as firewood in the Pacific Northwest where it is often called “tamarack.” The wood burns with a sweet fragrance and a distinctive popping noise.
Source
I’m obsessed!
Western Larch 
Needles of the Western Larch
We see two species here in Eastern Washington: The Western Larch (above) and the European Larch. Below is the European Larch, most likely planted, and distinguished by its long, willowy branches. Whereas the Western Larch grows wild on rocky ridges and has shorter needle clusters. Of course, both trees turn yellow and their needles fall to the Earth.
Willowy European Larch and its needle clusters.
And just like when you see that same car everywhere when thinking about buying a new one, yep, these stately yellow tamaracks are everywhere!
My Festival of Leaves
Earlier I mentioned the leaves have mostly fallen and have now imbued the Earth with magical carpets.
“Listen …
Adelaide Crapsey
With faint dry sound,
Like steps of passing ghosts,
The leaves, frost-crisp’d, break free from the trees
And fall.”
Below are a few images of fallen leaves enjoying laying around within their magic carpets. From this…
To this…
And more!
Autumn carpet 
Maple leaf mixture 
Autumn Leaves beneath my feet 
Asphalt decorated with leaves 
Flash frozen 
Ginkgo leaves float in a recent puddle 
Ginkgo leaves on Sacramento State University campus
“I wonder if leaves feel lonely when they see their neighbors falling?”
John Muir
More Photo Challenges this Week
Each week I am inspired by the following bloggers’ images and photo challenges.
Marsha’s Writers Quotes Wednesday Writer’s Choice (Writer’s Choice or Fog–I have a little of both)
Cee’s Flower of the Day
Dawn’s Festival of Leaves
Johnbo’s CellPic Sunday
Jude’s Life in Color: Black or Gray
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge: Shapes and Design
I’m also adding this post with my walk through the Autumn leaves and trees to Jo’s Monday Walk!
Furry and Feathery Bloggers’ Links
Who doesn’t love seeing images of our furry friends, wild or domestic, and all kinds of birds as we saw last week? A fabulous variety as shown by the number of links this week!
And Miles to Go Before I Sleep
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Easin’ Along Image shared in comments
Hugh’s Views and News Image in Comments
Philosophy Through Photography
Retirement Reflections Image shared on Instagram
NEW Wolf’s Birding and Bonsai Blog
Sunday Stills Photo Challenge Reminders
- Please create a new post for the theme or link a recent one.
- Tag your post “Sunday Stills.”
- Title your blog post a little differently than mine.
- Don’t forget to create a pingback to this post so that other participants can read your post. I also recommend adding your post’s URL into the comments.
- Entries for this theme can be posted all week.
- Use hashtag #SundayStills for sharing on social media.
I can’t wait to see what your trees and leaves look like this time of year! Next week, the Sunday Stills challenge is all about the color ruby wine or burgundy, just in time for the Thanksgiving celebrations in the US. Have a wonderful week!
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