Autumn has many faces. One moment there is a sky blue sky with a clear autumn sun, the next it is raining and the wind blows all the beautifully colored leaves from the trees. For some, autumn is the most beautiful season of the year, while others are already looking forward to spring. But what’s the point of autumn? How did nature handle it? And what can we learn from that?
The beauty of autumn
Autumn is not all about dying and being lost, even though it often seems so at first glance. In fact, fall is just nature’s way of being full of life again next year, after winter. Nature has come up with all kinds of clever tricks to face the next year with strength.
Protection mechanism of a tree
The fact that leaves turn from green to yellow or orange in autumn is due to the disappearance of leaf green grains. Leaf green grains normally use a plant for photosynthesis, from which the plant gets its energy. But leaves need sunlight for photosynthesis. Because the sun shines less in the fall, trees know they have to get ready for the coming winter. The leaf green grains are broken down in the leaves and no new ones are created. As a result, other pigments predominate in the leaf. This is often yellow or orange, but sometimes also red. These colors have always been in the leaves, but were normally not visible because the green predominated.
Not only discolored leaves are typical for autumn, the falling leaves also fit the standard autumn image. The trees are shedding their leaves for a clear reason: in winter they will not have enough nutrients to feed the leaves. It will also be too cold for transport in the tree. As a precaution, to protect itself, the tree drops its leaves.
Smart nut trees
Nuts are typical of autumn. Acorns and chestnuts are particularly well known. The problem with a walnut tree is that it makes no sense if dozens of walnut trees grow just under the tree. Fortunately, there is a partnership with, for example, squirrels, who bury the nuts scattered throughout the forest as a winter supply. Squirrels and mice always forget a few spots, so that a new walnut tree can emerge in those forgotten spots. It is not without reason that the nut trees give their harvest in the fall: without the rodents’ urge to build up a winter stock, the nut tree would be a lot less certain of its survival.
Energy-saving hibernation
A number of animals hibernate in autumn, for example hedgehogs and bats. The usefulness of hibernation is that little energy needs to be used because the heart rhythm, breathing rhythm and temperature drop. If an animal had to go through the winter without hibernation, it would need a lot more energy, while there is less food to be found in the cold period. Although bears are often thought to hibernate, this is not the case. They have a winter rest. The heart rhythm does drop, but the body temperature does not change. It doesn’t take too much to wake up a bear in winter.
Ten Ways to Enjoy Fall
So nature has taken care of autumn well and doesn’t seem to have any problems with it. However, people live much less according to the seasons and adapt more difficult to autumn. Still, autumn also has its charms. There are plenty of fun things to do that make autumn a beautiful and valuable season. And who knows, after a beautiful autumn, you might also go into winter with good cheer.
1. Cooking
Cook with ingredients that are typical for fall, especially ingredients you don’t normally use otherwise. Consider, for example, pumpkin, parsnip, purslane or fennel. Or bake something tasty with apples and nuts, both typical for autumn. In this way, autumn gets a special touch.
2. Go outside
Take a brisk walk or bike ride in fine autumn weather. Not only is this good for your physical health, the clear autumn air also gives you the chance to put order in your thoughts. In the meantime, you can enjoy the wonderful variety of colors that fall offers.
3. Heat
Warm yourself up with a bowl of soup or a cup of tea, it is possible again in the fall! It is wonderful to warm up again after the fresh air with something tasty and warm.
4. Interior
Add accents of autumn tones to your interior. Colors such as red, orange and brown quickly create a beautiful atmosphere in the house, which is perfect for autumn. Now that it is getting dark earlier, the candles can also be lit again, which bring a cozy warm atmosphere.
5. Creativity
Let the creativity in you emerge. Craft it once an afternoon, by yourself or with children. Many ideas can be found on the internet. For example making autumn leaves from paper, lanterns, or creations from chestnuts.
6. Relaxation
In the evening, snuggle up on the couch with a blanket and a good book. Or take a warm bath. Relax.
7. Photography
Get out there with a photo camera and try to capture the beauty of fall. In the morning the cobwebs are beautiful, with the dew on the threads. The trees become even more colorful in the afternoon, towards sunset. A sky blue sky with a variety of fall colors underneath is reason enough to capture forever in a photo.
8. Eating out
Go out for dinner with your partner or a friend. In autumn there are often delicious warm spicy recipes on the menu. Moreover, the candles go on again, so the atmosphere is fine.
9. Inspiration
Use the internet and read what other countries or peoples are doing with autumn. In America, for example, autumn is inextricably linked to Thanksgiving and Halloween. Get inspired and try out the best things.
10. Gratitude
On a rainy day or an autumn storm, be thankful for sitting sheltered indoors with a roof over your head. Autumn days like that are great for realizing what you have to enjoy!