Michigan Fall Foliage Tour
Ranked #16,354 in Travel & Places, #385,746 overall
Why Leaves Change Colors
As the nights get longer and the temperatures get cooler, Autumn displays her deciduous leaves change from green to reds and oranges and yellows and finally browns. In forested Michigan, there are hundreds of opportunities to catch a dramatic fall foliage tour. Read on to discover how and why nature shows us her autumn performance.
(Photo taken in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, looking onto Lake Michigan.)
(Photo taken in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore, looking onto Lake Michigan.)
The Color Green
*CHLOROPHYLL*
Leaves look green in spring and summer. This color is made by trees using sunlight and water and carbon dioxide (what we breath out) to make sugar. This process is called photosynthesis. The green color pigment in leaf cells is called chlorophyll.It is when the chlorophyll is no longer being made that we see the colors beneath.
The Red Way
Usually the first of the colors to fall, the reds blaze the way for the other colors.This photo was taken in Leelanau County, Michigan, on the Old indian Trail, in the southern part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore. It clearly shows us the Red Pathway.
The Colors of Red, Purple, & Crimson
*ANTHOCYANINS*
The anthocyanins (red pigments) are contingent upon weather and temperature patterns. This explains why some years there are brilliant red trees, while other years one sees mostly yellows and oranges.For reds to display their wonders, there must be warm, sunny fall days with cool but not freezing nights.
(Photo taken in Ionia Recreational Area)
The Oranges -- The Middle Child Color
Pure Michigan - "Trees"
powered by Youtube
The Colors Yellow, Orange, & Brown
*CAROTENOID*
These colors are actually in the leaves through the entire growing season, although they are "hidden" behind the green. The color pigments to make the yellows, oranges, and browns is called carotenoid (like the orange in carrots, too).When the days are warm, sugar is produced in the leaf. This process is called photosynthesis. But when the warm days are combined with cool but not freezing nights, the leaf veins close, preventing sugars from moving out and leaving the colors to remain behind.
Yellows -- the step before brown
Indian Summer
Later in the fall, after the day and evening temperatures have dropped to freezing, nature sometimes delights us with a bit of warmth. With the trees still in full color, and the warmer temperatures pulling people outside, these few rare days are referred to as an Indian Summer. Why do you like fall?
Loading poll. Please Wait...
Striking Whites -- fungus on birch
New Igo GREEN Tip of the Day
Fall Cyclists in Leelanau County, MI
The Quiet Browns
Autumn in your home
Point Betsie Lighthouse, early November
Wonderful Fall Links to Check Out
- Pure Michigan Travel
- The entire state of Michigan is covered at this site with written words and video clips.
Great Stuff on Amazon
New Orbitz!
Which Are Your Favorite Fall Destinations?
-
-
BigGirlBlue
Dec 30, 2009 @ 3:12 pm | delete
- There are so many reasons to love fall! I'm missing it today.
-
New Scientific American
by BiciParker
Born in Michigan. Lived in 6 other states. Now back in Michigan.
I like to read and write. I like to travel and take pictures. I love being out-of-...
more »
- 11 featured lenses
- Winner of 4 trophies!
- Top lens » Top 10 Things to Do Unique to Western South Dakota
Feeling creative?
Create a Lens!
