There aren’t hard lines between seasons, but an amalgamation of changes constantly in motion. I’ve been here long enough on the mountain to see one such change – the turning of poison oak from green to red. It outlines paths and covers the hills, climbing on rocks and clinging to trees.
The bright red color is a welcome warning indicator to steer clear of the problematic leaves.
There are other signs that the days are growing shorter and the next season is around the corner… The buckeye leaves are starting to drop from the trees. The soap root plants no longer flower at night.
It’s been lovely to slow down and catch a glimpse of the gradual changes.