Turning Leaves: The Rich Colors of Fall Foliage

Fall Colors in Minnesota

The colorful foliage of autumn

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Yellow, green, orange and coral foliage line this lively forest path in Minnesota.

Sunny Autumn Morning

The colorful foliage of autumn

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Warm sunshine plays on the turning leaves of a young tree in this rural scene.

Tranquil Water and Technicolor Leaves

The colorful foliage of autumn

(Image credit: Carl Raymond Piesch)

Plumas County, located in Sierra Nevada Calif., boasts plenty of fall flavor. From the low-growing Indian rhubarb to the mighty English maples, the plants in this region get ready for the winter with a cornucopia of colors.

Bursts of Color

The colorful foliage of autumn

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The flashy autumn colors of the New Jersey landscape rival the rainbow hues of an overhead hot air balloon. Peak leaf viewing time in Northwest New Jersey usually occurs during the first two weeks of October.

A Quiet Beauty

The colorful foliage of autumn

(Image credit: Tourism PEI | J.S. Apin)

Canada's Prince Edward Island has breath-taking fall foliage, with some of its best views showcased along a series of back country drives knows as the Scenic Heritage Roads. These remote roads are made of red clay that matches the leaves' hues, and trees often meet over the throughways, creating a tunnel of autumn color.

Maine Lakeside

The colorful foliage of autumn

(Image credit: Maine Office of Tourism)

This gorgeous view was captured toward the southern end of Route 17, near Rumford, Maine. Located in the Rangeley region of the state's western edge, the trees in this area generally peak around the first week of October.

Peek-a-Boo Pines

The colorful foliage of autumn

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The above photo, snapped during early October in Minnesota, captures colorful fall foliage along the side of a mountain, with several evergreen trees peeking through the saffron leaves.

Postcard Perfect

The colorful foliage of autumn

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The above photo shows a picturesque mix of coral, chartreuse, peach, pale yellow and crimson leaves.

Orange Road

The colorful foliage of autumn

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The trees lining this peaceful path have almost all turned a deep ginger hue, save for a few stubborn green trees that are still holding out for autumn.

Into the Woods

The colorful foliage of autumn

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This spectacular shot from atop a mountainside shows rich fall foliage creeping in along the edges of a forest, showing signs that autumn is approaching.

Remy Melina was a staff writer for Live Science from 2010 to 2012. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Hofstra University where she graduated with honors.