The Autumn Splendor of Big Leaf Maples

Let's swish our feet through fallen leaves and gaze up in awe.

The Big Leaf Maples trees (Acer macrophyllum) at Bowen park on Vancouver Island are spectacular in their fall foliage. Whether they’re still adorning the trees or piling up on the ground and inviting feet to swoosh through them, the large leaves can be breathtaking in their vibrant hues. Spanning the spectrum from greens through yellows and reds and oranges, their colours tend to peak anywhere from around mid October to early November.

Although I personally haven’t tried it, Big Leaf Maples can be tapped for sap to make maple syrup. On the opposite coast of North America to me,

Sydney Michalski

dives into the process and fun of tapping Red Maples (Acer rubrum) and making syrup in her article “It’s Maple Syrup Season!” I invite you to check it out - I found the part on the different colours of syrup very interesting! (Audio version available here)

A few years ago, a friend and I were walking with his dachshund at Bowen Park. The dog happened to be wearing a red sweater which, with his black and tan colouring, made him look dashing in the carpet of golden leaves. Of course I had to stop and take a bunch of photos of this sweet boy. He was certainly enjoying his autumn adventure!

I hope you take time to enjoy and celebrate the diversity in colours and friendships in your life this month and, for those of you in the northern hemisphere, to get out some snuggly sweaters to keep you warm as temperatures begin to drop.

Blessings to you,

Lindsay