TRR photo by Ed Wesely Beech leaves partially mask a stone culvert on the old gravity railroad in Wayne County.

Autumn colors. Fall colors have been late this year, including the beech leaves in my picture.

As green chlorophyll pigments that manufactured food for the tree decompose, their nitrogen and phosphorous compounds are exported to the roots for re-use next spring. During the process, yellow carotene pigments that helped the chlorophyll to capture sunlight are revealed.

Another family of pigments, called “anthocyanins,” paints the reds and purples of autumn landscapes.

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Shawangunk Ridge land preserved and protected

ORANGE COUNTY, NY—Orange County Government Executive Edward Diana announced on October 21 the protection of five parcels of land atop the Shawangunk Ridge in the towns of Mt. Hope and Deerpark. The properties were protected as a result of collaboration between the Orange County Land Trust and the New York/New Jersey Trail Conference, with funding provided by Orange County.

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River Talk correction

Copy that ran in last week’s (issue 43) “River Talk” column beneath the picture of a black swallowtail caterpillar was the copy that had already run in issue 42. To clear up any confusion caused by TRR’s error, we have printed below the column Ed Wesely submitted for issue 43.

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Also in this issue:

• Women’s fly-fishing festival