Autumn gold

You’re looking at a photograph of a chemical imbalance. In a process that still is not clear to scientists, shortened days and cooler temperatures cause the leaves of trees to reduce the amount of chlorophyll they produce. Chlorophyll gives leaves their green color. In the absence of chlorophyll, carotin comes to the forefront, giving the leaves a golden/orange/red hue.

This photograph was taken near LaSalle, Illinois at Mattheisen State Park. The main feature of the park is a 50-foot deep canyon carved by the Vermilion River.

Click on picture to enlarge. Photograph © 2005 James Jordan.