Color is a big topic up here on Beaver Island, in the Fall of the year.
People who want to come here to experience the colors ask, trying to plan their visit for the optimal time.
Folks who have seen the spectacular Autumn show in other years ask, to see how this year is shaping up in comparison.
People who live here talk about it, and report on their own experiences with the colors. If you’ve been up in a plane, or driven around the island, or stopped at Miller’s Marsh or Barney’s Lake, or if you’ve driven down the King’s Highway or Paid Een Ogg’s Road or the West Side Drive…you have something to talk about.
We tell of our experience to anyone who asks, assisting those who are trying to plan a trip or make a comparison.
We tell about it just for the sake of relating our own experience.
“Not as good as in other years…still pretty.”
“I’m not seeing those bright reds this year.”
“From the air, it looks like they’re at their peak!”
“Not so much contrast as we’ve had in the past.”
“Beautiful color around the Fox Lake area!”
“A little past their prime, but the colors are still pretty.”
Our colors reach their peak just a bit later than they do on the mainland, most years.
Weather makes a difference. The amount of moisture in the earth determines the intensity and longevity of the Autumn hues. A few days of wind or rain can strip the trees and change the color of the landscape entirely.
This year, the Autumn colors come to us after two very mild Winters and at least one dry Summer. They come when lake levels are down lower than anyone here can remember. They still show up, though we’ve had weeks of wind and rain.
The Fall colors are here!
cindyricksgers 
Beautiful! Here in Maine we have foliage-talk as well. Everything is glowing right now–beeches and oaks the colors of gold and bronze. The maples have done and gone already;)
It comes and goes so quickly! I am fortunate to have trails through woods to walk, where the leaves on the ground and the leaves on the trees give the appearance of a golden tunnel. Thanks for your comments!
I love the autumn and its flamboyant salut welcoming the stillness of winter. We saw our first snowflakes today in Minnesota and a lot of the colorful leaves have fallen from the trees. Hello steaming soups and hot chocolate!