Autumn: The Best Season of All
Autumn
Every year, trees across the nation change the color of their leaves. This tends to be the way
deciduous trees prepare themselves for the harsh winter trials. For most of the year, chlorophyll
supports photosynthesis in the leaves. This gives them the bright green color they have. As
chlorophyll dies off when the days get shorter and colder, other chemicals become the source of
color. The tree also begins to grow a layer of scar tissue at the end of each leaf’s stem. This
weakens the connection of the leaf and the tree, eventually causing gravity and weather to
break the leaves off.
Kameiwa Cave, Chiba
Autumn began on September 22nd and plans to stay until December 21st.
Since the season will be a long term visitor here are some interesting facts about it:
Historically, Autumn was known as “harvest” because of the harvest moon that occurs close to the autumn equinox.
Autumn is caused by the tilt of the Earth, not the distance of the sun.
Birds spend most of the season migrating, mating and finding food.
Fall colors depend on how much sugar is in the leaves of a tree.
Global warming can ruin fall foliage.
Bobbing for apples was originally a British courting ritual.
It is the best time to see the Aurora Borealis.
The Irish used to carve turnips and potatoes.
One gallon of apple cider requires 36 apples.
Levels of testosterone in both men and women are at their highest during autumn.
Each fall, the black-capped chickadee’s tiny hippocampus enlarges by 30%, which enables it to remember where it collected seeds in different spots in trees and on the ground.
The term “equinox” is from the Latin meaning “equal night.”
Many birds prepare for winter migration during the fall. One of the longest migrations is the 11,000-mile journey by the Arctic Tern.
The autumnal equinox is also called Harvest Home, Mabon, the Feast of the Ingathering, and Alban-Elfed (in Neo-Druid traditions).
People who live on the equator or central area of the planet never experience autumn.
Autumn holidays include Labor Day, Grandparents Day, Patriot Day, Autumn Equinox, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Remembrance Day, and Thanksgiving.
The word "November" is from the Latin, novem, meaning "nine." November was originally the 9th month of the Roman calendar, which began in March.
In Greek mythology, autumn was the time when Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, was abducted by Hades, the god-king of the underworld.
Several cultures have ancient traditions that coincide with autumn.
The pumpkin was first named by the Greeks. They called this edible orange item “pepon,” which means “large melon.”