These pictures are ginkgoes from our university. They are very troublesome in fall because of its nuts. But now, it has turned yellow and is very pretty. It makes me feel comfortable and calm me down. One big moment I really feel nice be a Japanese.
Talking about the colours of leaves, I wanted to see red leaves of maple trees in Canada. It's very famous and of course I expected to see them when I went there last year. It was still September. Although, it almost finished and I missed it!! I didn't expect Canada's winter came so fast...
Before I left Canada this September, I decided to see red leaves and pick some! I waited and waited for turning colours till just a few days before I left. But!! Leaves were just getting yellow at that time and finally I gave up. I picked some up and brought to the school. I laminated them and they are my treasures now.
Also I learned a trivia about leaves from my hostfamily. She is an artist and likes batik. When I did batik with her, I drew maple leaves and coloured with red without thinking. Then she found it and told me, "we don't get that red here. It gets cold so quick. Leaves fall off before turning red so ours are usually yellow." I imagined only red maple trees like on travel brochures. But now I know, it depends on the area what colour leaves get. It was North Alberta I went. If I would go to the east coast, I could see red leaves then. It's very interesting and the difference makes originality of the area.
What is "batik"? Check this website, the world of batik by Yuko Nakata.
