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Fall Foliage Report – September 30, 2021

Cooler evenings and crisp mornings bring a change in the air, and the leaves are responding. Thanks to submissions from our readers, it looks like fall colors have finally spread across Maryland. Keep checking back each Thursday for the latest information. 

October’s Bright Blue Weather – Helen Hunt Jackson

O suns and skies and clouds of June,
And flowers of June together,
Ye cannot rival for one hour
October’s bright blue weather;

Join us as we follow the transition each week with reports from our experts at our state forests and parks. This year for the first time, we welcome all of Maryland’s outdoor enthusiasts to send in photos capturing the beauty of the fall season. Please use the submission form to submit your entries directly to us. Your photo might be selected to appear in a future edition of the Fall Foliage Report!

Sign up to receive this report to your email inbox  every week in fall.


Garrett County, Maryland

Potomac-Garrett State Forest

Potomac-Garrett State Forest Potomac-Garrett State Forest
Potomac-Garrett State Forest Potomac-Garrett State Forest

The recent rainfall and lower temperatures have coaxed more colors from the palettes of the red maples, sugar maples and birches. The majority of oak leaves are still holding fast to green leaves, with a few beginning to show hints of yellow and brown. Scott Campbell Potomac-Garrett State Forest


Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park

Deep Creek Lake State Park

A young black gum stakes its claim to the fall season with eye-catching scarlet leaves. Ranger Roy Musselwhite – Deep Creek Lake State Park


Frederick County, Maryland

Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks

The native red maple leads the charge with its red hues declaring the arrival of fall at Cunningham Falls and Gambrill State Parks. Ranger Mark Spurrier, Cunningham Falls and Gambrill state parks

Fort Frederick State Park

Fort Frederick picnic area

Fort Frederick picnic area, September 30, 2021
Check back each week, we’ll be posting an updated photo of this spot
so you can see the leaves changing week to week.

Red Maple

Red Maple

European Chestnut

European Chestnut

Black Oak

Black Oak

Flowering Dogwood

Flowering Dogwood

Leaves in rich browns and yellows are beginning to adorn the black oak at Fort Frederick State Park, while the dogwood greets us with shades of pinks and purples, dusted with flecks of gold. Bob Study – Fort Frederick State Park Complex


Photo Submissions for the Week

We’d like to thank all the folks that continue to send in photos of fall scenes from around Maryland. Glimpses of fall and shorter days can be seen from all parts of the state thanks to your participation. Please send us your fall foliage photos, including the names of any tree species listed, using our easy online form!

Flowers, leaves and birds with fall colors

Fall images at sunset, lake scenes, river evenings and western Maryland

Sunsets and lake scenes with fall colors

Fall Recreation Spotlight

October 2: Hispanic Heritage Environmental Festival at Sandy Point

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage MonthSandy Point State Park will host a Hispanic Heritage Environmental Festival on October 2. Presented by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Chesapeake Conservancy, Corazón Latino, the National Park Service, and Defensores De La Cuenca, the event runs 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and features boat rides, Zumba classes, fishing demonstrations, food trucks, and more.

Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed Sept. 15-Oct. 15 Hispanic Heritage Month, to honor and celebrate Maryland’s Hispanic population, a key part of the fabric of our state.

Park Ranger with kids fishing

Watch the sky

October is a busy month for celestial events, kicking off with both an asteroid and a meteor shower! On October 1, the asteroid 40 Harmonia, which is about the size of Delaware, will be in the constellation Cetus and visible most of the evening. At midnight, it will be at the highest point in the sky and you will need a telescope or binoculars to see it. 

The Camelopardalid Meteor Shower (just say Ca·​mel·​o·​par·​da·​lid) peaks October 5. It won’t be raining meteors – the average is about five an hour – but with a new moon and a clear sky the viewing conditions will be perfect.

 

Camelopardalis Photo from NASA: Eric Coles and Mel HelmCamelopardalis constellation (photo from
NASA-Eric Coles and Mel Helm)

 


Graphic with photos of sassafras tree and information about the species


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