I must admit that I miss the summer that has so cruelly deserted us once again. As we walk down the leaf-strewn paths of October's final days, winter looms large on the horizon. Not even the arrival of an "Indian summer" could dispel that cold, hard fact.

But I'll say this much for autumn: it doesn't scrimp on the consolation that it offers. As happens every year, I have found myself utterly transfixed throughout this month by the majestic beauty of the autumn leaves. I especially like the ones that start out two-toned, such as the leaf of Ginkgo biloba, pictured at right. Have you ever wondered about exactly how it is that autumn leaves change their colors? Enter About's Guide to Forestry, Steve Nix, with this article on how autumn leaves change colors.

_{Photo ©2005 David Beaulieu (licensed to About, Inc.)}