Matt Ginnow

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When nature provides a perfect window into fall. 🍂🍁 

The cooler temperatures are back at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and the aspen trees understand the assignment. One of the most striking characteristics of the aspen is the beautiful splashes of fall color they add to the mountainsides. This magical color change starts in early September and can last into October.  

As the green leaves fade, yellow, orange, and red pigments appear, and sunny days and cool nights produce the most dramatic color spectrum. Aspen, the most widely distributed tree in North America, are one of the few deciduous trees hearty enough to survive in a harsh mountain environment. Aspen stands provide a variety of ecosystem services, including soil improvement, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, economic products (mainly pulp), landscape diversity, and perfect fall frames for photos of the Rocky Mountains.

Photo by Ranger Beach, NPS. Photo description: Yellow and orange aspen leaves perfectly frame evergreen trees and mountains in the distance.

Aw! **Warm fuzzies instantly fill brain**  

These two sibling arctic foxes in Alaska are playing together. For young foxes like these, rough-housing and play are essential for learning life skills. In the fall, the family will part ways, and the young will be ready to take on the tundra, thanks in part to play with their siblings. 

Video by Lisa Hupp, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Video description: Video of two fox kits, one with a tail of their sibling in their mouth, the other with a stick. Towards the end of the video, one of the foxes boops the nose of their sibling.

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Matt Ginnow

Matt Ginnow