Leaves have changed colors on this tree near the Thornton Gap entrance station at Shenandoah National Park. (NPS/Neal Lewis)Sometimes a single tree can represent an entire forest, or serve as a symbol for a whole season. Possibly the maple standing near a parking area in Shenandoah National Park plays the role of nature’s ambassador as well any member of its species. Bright foliage, in the Washington region, as in many others around the country, represents one of the major components of autumn’s image, along with crisp and bracing weather. As of 5 p.m., the Weather Service listed the high temperature, as measured at Reagan National Airport, as 70 degrees.

Source: Washington Post October 15, 2017 01:41 UTC