Each fall trees in whole Canada undergo a stunning transformation of colour. Don't miss that colourful event - The Indian Summer. According to variations in seasons temperatures and dependent on the location it takes place from mid-September to end-October. The peak occurs during two weeks between end-September and beginning of October.

The leaves colour changes due to variations in shares of pigments. Throughout the year there are several different pigments to be found in leaves, but the green (chlorophyll) overpowers the yellow and orange ones. In fall, when light and water aren't sufficiently available, the trees transfer nutrition and minerals to the trunks due to winter storage. The minerals aren't available for the chlorophyll production anymore and therefore the concentrations of this pigment sinks and the other pigments determine the leaves colour.

A speciality are the sugar maple trees, that are only to be found in North America. These trees start to produce a scarlet pigment after the leaves have already turned yellow. This pigment gives a protection from the cold und gives transferring processes more time.

At some point production of all pigment stops, the UV-rays of the sun cause a breakdown of the remaining pigment molecules. Therefore the leaves turn brown and finally they fall off.

Enough of these explanations, have a look at the pictures...

More pictures - especially from the Indian Summer outside Waterloo - will be available in the following tour descriptions:

Hiking and paddling in the Killarney Provincial Park

Canoeing in the Georgian Bay Islands National Park

Hiking the La Cloche Silhouette Trail in Killarney Provincial Park.