{"id":25088,"date":"2018-11-01T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/?p=25088"},"modified":"2018-11-04T20:14:20","modified_gmt":"2018-11-05T01:14:20","slug":"fall-foliage-and-festival-report-nov-3-4-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/2018\/11\/01\/fall-foliage-and-festival-report-nov-3-4-2018\/","title":{"rendered":"Fall Foliage and Festival Report: Nov 3-4, 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Map<\/a><\/p>\n

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report<\/a> for the weekend of Nov. 3 and 4, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a>.<\/p>\n

There is hope for Maryland leaf peepers after all. This is the weekend to take in some brilliant autumnal colors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Tamarack

Tamarack<\/p><\/div>\n

Melissa Nash, Garrett County forester says this will probably be the last hoorah for the far west as the oaks have all turned mostly brown, with a few yellows, even fewer deep reds and will be dropping the remainder of their leaves soon. However, Nash explained, \u201cAn often overlooked and somewhat unusual late fall treat is the tamarack. Also commonly called larch, tamarack\u00a0is one of Maryland’s few deciduous conifers. A highly cold-tolerant tree most common in Canada and the northeastern U.S., it can also be found in isolated stands in the higher elevations and more boreal type forests of Garrett County. American larch (Larix larcinia<\/em>) is native to the Cranesville and Finzel swamps. European larch (Larix decidua<\/em>) is often substituted in ornamental settings and had previously been planted in various areas of the county as a timber species. Larches are\u00a0a medium-sized tree with thick, scaly bark. The needle-like leaves are slender and grow in clusters of 12-20 arranged spirally along the twigs. In the fall, these trees produce a vibrant yellow color.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

“A week has made a difference in Washington and western Frederick counties,” reports Forester Aaron Cook. \u201cThe oaks, which dominate our ridges, have thrown in the towel and the ridges are now a lackluster and somewhat muted bronze and green hue.\u00a0The transition happened so rapidly that we will be past peak this weekend. The leaves seem to be falling as fast as they are turning, while much of the forest had already shed leaves in advance of leaf change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maryland Park Service<\/a> Ranger Mary Jo Bartles says the trees are starting to get a little bit of color in Greenbrier State Park<\/a>. \u201cHowever, there\u2019s still a lot of green leaves out there and it’s hard to predict whether they will continue to get some color or will just brown up and fall.<\/p>\n

\"Elk

Elk Neck State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Laura Fawks Lapole, park naturalist, reports from Cecil County that Elk Neck State Park<\/a> is at a 60 percent color change. \u201cThe beech trees are a brilliant gold, and the maples add in splashes of orange and red. The drive along Route 272 toward the Turkey Point Lighthouse is really beautiful right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kent and Queen Anne\u2019s forester Teri Batchelor has good news as well. \u201cZelcova and red maples are turning beautiful shades of orange and red. Black walnuts have almost lost all of their leaves. Oaks are still green.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fall is finally showing off her colors in\u00a0Patapsco Valley State Park<\/a> and Ranger Felicia Graves is looking forward to seeing what the next week brings.<\/p>\n

\"Assateague

Assateague State Park Corridor<\/p><\/div>\n

Assateague State Park<\/a> is getting quite a lot of color in their corridor. \u201cIt\u2019s looking like fall and it\u2019s turning fast,\u201d\u00a0exclaims Angela Baldwin, park manager.<\/p>\n

Pocomoke River State Park<\/a>\u00a0Manager Cineva Smith has some exceptionally good news for leaf peepers: \u201cBold colors are now visible among the dogwood and maple trees. The unusually wet weather has benefited the bald cypress trees resulting in a brilliant orange hue that is prevalent at the Shad Landing pond and along the banks of the Pocomoke River.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Dorchester County,\u00a0Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park and Visitor Center<\/a>\u00a0Manager Dana Paterra\u00a0says, \u201cThe colors have really started to pop in Tubman Country over the last few days with sweetgums, maples and sassafras providing nice fall color.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Shad

Pocomoke River State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Jen Selfridge with the Wildlife and Heritage Service<\/a> commented, \u201cEaston looks pretty green and brown, with leaves turning brown and dropping, and green leaves dropping right along with them.\u201d Selfridge traveled to Worcester County Tuesday and reports fall foliage on the Eastern Shore varies greatly, depending on where you go. \u201cIt’s not the beautiful artists palette of colors that we usually see, but the oaks and the dogwoods are changing. I even saw some maples during the drive back to Easton that were pretty shades of orange.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the Western Shore, Sandy Point State Park<\/a> in Anne Arundel County is “seeing some changing hues, mainly with muted reds,” writes Park Ranger Dorna Cooper.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And in southern Maryland, State Forester Brian Stupak notes, \u201cWe’re starting to see more colors here in Calvert County. The oaks and poplars are starting to change along with the gums and maples. There\u2019s still a fair amount of green left on the trees; we are not at peak yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The Apple Harvest Festival at Bragunier Orchard<\/a> at Big Pool in Washington County Saturday is just plain good old-fashioned fun. Come down to the orchard and shop local vendors with handcrafted items, antiques, live music, kids’ games, demonstrations of apple cider and apple butter making, and lots of home cooked food. Get your pictures with Santa (yes, Santa!) too.<\/p>\n

\"The

The Greater Baltimore Oyster Festival<\/p><\/div>\n

This weekend at the Howard County Fairgrounds the Howard County Crafts Spectacular<\/a> features over 260 crafts people and their hand-crafted items. $5 admission; under 10 years free.<\/p>\n

The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival<\/a> returns to the Inner Harbor 1-5 p.m. Saturday. The festival includes live music, oysters, shucking contest, beer and wine, local vendors and family-friendly activities. Learn about oysters, their vital role in keeping our waters clean, how they grow and where they come from. The event is free to attend but purchased tickets are required to eat.<\/p>\n

Come experience the longest International Tug-of-War over water in the world, between the Maritime Republic of Eastport and City of Annapolis. The\u00a0Tug-of-War<\/a> is a not-to-be missed event unlike any other. Festivities begin at noon Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Join the Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area<\/a>\u00a0at 10 a.m. Saturday for a 3-mile moderate Mason-Dixon Marker Hike<\/a> and learn about the history of the famous markers. (The Mason-Dixon Line only became famous after its mention in the Missouri Compromise of 1820.)<\/p>\n

\"Tuckahoe

Tuckahoe State Park by Derrick Leonard<\/p><\/div>\n

Bring an off-road bike to ride the trails at\u00a0Tuckahoe Trail Ride<\/a>\u00a011 a.m. Sunday. Helmet and water are required. This ride is for experienced riders new to trail riding. Meet at the Tuckahoe Lake parking lot at Tuckahoe State Park<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

All children are invited to come to the Turkey Rock Hunt<\/a> at\u00a0Martinak State Park<\/a>\u00a012:30 p.m. Saturday. Prizes will be awarded!<\/p>\n

On Saturday come to American Indian Heritage Day<\/a> at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum<\/a> in Calvert County. Celebrate the Piscataway Conoy Tribe in the Woodland Indian Village and experience a drum circle, flute performance, storytelling, food demonstrations, and jewelry and artifacts display.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Patapsco

Patapsco Valley State Park<\/p><\/div>\n

Join a naturalist in the Hilton Nature Center at Patapsco Valley State Park<\/a> to make and decorate a bird feeder from recycled materials<\/a>. November through April is the most productive time put out feeders for songbirds as resources become scarce. Discover tips on how to help and attract birds to your backyard this fall and winter.<\/p>\n

The Patapsco River is bursting with historical artifacts from Native American pottery shards, to pieces of homes washed away in the floods of the 1800s and 1900s. On Sunday explore the\u00a0Patapsco Valley’s Artifacts<\/a> and learning about past archaeological surveys of the area and what information was collected. Meet in the Avalon Area<\/a> at 3 p.m.<\/p>\n

\n

For more information or to see a full listing of\u00a0Maryland Department of Natural Resources<\/a>\u00a0events, meetings and programs, please check out the\u00a0online calendar<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Enjoy your weekend, Maryland! As always, if you would like to share photos of your autumn adventures,\u00a0please send them our way<\/a>!<\/p>\n

\n

“How silently they tumble down
\nAnd come to rest upon the ground
\nTo lay a carpet, rich and rare,
\nBeneath the trees without a care,
\nContent to sleep, their work well done,
\nColors gleaming in the sun.<\/p>\n

At other times, they wildly fly
\nUntil they nearly reach the sky.
\nTwisting, turning through the air
\nTill all the trees stand stark and bare.
\nExhausted, drop to earth below
\nTo wait, like children, for the snow.”<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

\u2015 Leaves, Elise N. Brady<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the Fall Foliage and Festival Report for the weekend of Nov. 3 and 4, brought to you by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. There is hope for Maryland leaf peepers after all. This is the weekend to take in some brilliant autumnal colors.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[957,1965,12,13],"tags":[4739,4842,3260,2971,3001,2969,3544,3186,2934,4160,3821,3055,2922,4844,3126,3470,3381,4825,4768,4818,4841,4837,2918,2949,3411,3013,4647,3207,3622,3979,4843,3063,4821,3137,4829,4236,2974,3486,2950,3332,4838,4840,3138,3974,2909,2910],"class_list":["post-25088","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-appnews","category-maryland-forest-service","category-parks","category-wildlife","tag-aaron-cook","tag-angela-baldwin","tag-annapolis","tag-anne-arundel-county","tag-assateague-state-park","tag-baltimore-city","tag-brian-stupak","tag-calvert-county","tag-cecil-county","tag-cineva-smith","tag-cranesville-swamp","tag-dana-paterra","tag-dorchester-county","tag-dorna-cooper","tag-eastern-shore","tag-easton","tag-elk-neck-state-park","tag-fair-hill-natural-resources-management-area","tag-fall-festival","tag-fall-foliage","tag-felicia-graves","tag-finzel-swamp","tag-frederick-county","tag-garrett-county","tag-greenbrier-state-park","tag-harriet-tubman-underground-railroad-state-park","tag-harriet-tubman-underground-railroad-state-park-and-visitor-center","tag-howard-county","tag-inner-harbor","tag-jefferson-patterson-park-and-museum","tag-jen-selfridge","tag-kent-county","tag-laura-fawks-lapole","tag-martinak-state-park","tag-mary-jo-bartles","tag-melissa-nash","tag-patapsco-valley-state-park","tag-pocomoke-river-state-park","tag-queen-annes-county","tag-sandy-point-state-park","tag-shad-landing","tag-teri-batchelor","tag-tuckahoe-state-park","tag-turkey-point-lighthouse","tag-washington-county","tag-worcester-county"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25088"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25088\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25133,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25088\/revisions\/25133"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dnr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}