Fall colors brighten Somme Woods

Fall colors nearing their peak brighten an overcast afternoon in an aerial view taken at Somme Woods near Northbrook recently.

Located off Dundee Road just east of Waukegan Road and part of the Cook County Forest Preserve, Somme Woods offers an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of nature in a suburban oasis that includes majestic oaks, wildlife, trails and a picnic shelter.

My initial thought while taking an aerial photo for this feature was to have the trees displaying fall colors in the foreground and downtown Northbrook in the background. While sun was trying its best to come out, it was still mostly overcast and the muted lighting in a view that included the horizon line didn't seem to do the brilliant fall colors justice.

Instead, I flew directly over the trees at an altitude of 175 feet, and pointed the drone's gimbal straight down. After a bit of searching, I located a section that included bright reds and yellows, as well as some trees that were either still green or had already shed their leaves.

This photo represents a bit of a departure for me because the angle looks straight downward, and because of the lighting. Usually, when I set out to photograph fall colors I pick a bright sunny day with a deep blue sky.

What makes this fall colors photo different for me is the fact that is something other than a close-up taken in overcast conditions.

I like how the leaves that had already fallen add color to the scene. If the photo had been taken on a clear day, harsh shadows would have obstructed the view of the forest floor.

Whatever the weather conditions, though, the opportunity to enjoy this scene and the fall colors at Somme Woods is fleeting - the trees will shed their leaves soon and a uniform shade of light brown will take over until a clinging snowfall arrives.