Autumn in Fort Worth

We're having an unusually beautiful autumn in Fort Worth.  I don't know whether it's because of the (over)abundant rainfall, the warm sunny days and cool nights, the decrease in hours of sunlight, or the fact that we haven't had a freeze yet, but there is more color this year than I've seen in a long time.

Yesterday was another beautiful day, so I grabbed my camera and went for a walk.  My neighborhood is full of southern red oaks and sweetgums, with many japanese maples planted in the understory, and they all seem to have turned bright rusty reds and yellowy oranges overnight.

The colors are wonderful, but it is rather confusing to be taking a walk on a nice crisp fall day, after spending several hours putting out Christmas decorations.  But that's autumn in North Texas!

Back in my own yard,  our own japanese maples are finally showing some color:

We planted this small yellow maple nine years ago in the lower part of our backyard, the part where the turtles live.  It has grown horizontally but not vertically.  I don't think it's the turtles fault...

I love this time of year!