Autumn Falls On Central Maryland

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—If you've got to go, do it with flair. And right now, millions of Maryland trees are doing just that.

Alex DeMetrick reports the annual die-off of leaves is making for a colorful autumn send off.

From above, the color is a patchwork in progress.

Down on the ground, it's downright brazen.

And even though it happens every fall, there's something about these few weeks that feels like a special reunion.

"Well, just the changing of the leaves and it's nice weather to come out and see nature," said Maria Ponce, Oregon Ridge visitor.

And see it through other eyes.

Phil White came to Oregon Ridge Park with his dogs.

"It's a great time. Those two really enjoy getting out here and sniffing under the leaves and finding all the little goodies they can find," White said.

For leaves, the splash of color signals time is up.

As daylight shrinks, so does the power source leaves need to feed their trees.

"In the summertime they're producing food in their leaves. They actually stop that process and direct the nutrients to the roots for the wintertime," said Jessie Jeannette, Oregon Ridge Nature Center.

And the fade from green unmasks what's been there all along.

"They actually will reveal the oranges and the yellows, which is in the trees already, but is just masked by the green," Jeannette said.

For many of us, the burst of color means raking up what falls and preparing for the season that comes next.

"Yes, that we do," White said.

So enjoy shuffling through dry leaves and that commute to work before snow falls on autumn.

Although it might not seem like the best time to take it in experts say autumn leaves stand out brightest during dark overcast and rain.

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