Fall color this year has arrived much earlier and is more brilliant than usual.  Even overcast skies cannot subdue the vibrant hues that are to be seen everywhere. I celebrated my 56th birthday today by rising early and spending some time at Great Meadows before work. The water has been largely drained for the winter, for reasons not entirely clear to me, leaving behind a beautiful sea of exposed water lilies.

Reds this year are more intense than ever and I am hoping for a little sunshine this week to capture some photos which do justice to what nature has created.  I cherish this time of year and treat every day as a precious gift.