For months of the year from spring through summer to the beginning of autumn we are used to being surrounded by leaves of green. As we enter autumn the weather normally changes and gets windier causing the branches and leaves to sway. The leaves swaying could have easily as created this photo with a slow shutter speed but that is not how it was created. To create this image, I used a slow shutter speed whilst rotating the camera in a circular motion to create the curved effect that is shown within the image. Tehidy woods, where the image was captured, is the largest woodland in west Cornwall and consists of a woodland with a lake in the middle. Providing lovely walks around the lake the views this time of year will shows trees in variations of colour as some begin to turn while others remain green for a little while longer.

The first few weeks of autumn creates a sea of colour amongst the leaves as they begin to change colour transitioning from greens to bright oranges. Patches of green can still be seen for weeks as all trees drop their leaves at different times as well as each tree losing their leaves slowly as the weather changes. The reason leaves begin to change colour and fall from the trees is because come winter all the leaves will be damaged and ready for renewal. The tree will cut off water reaching the leaves which is what causes them to become dry and flaky which in time causes them to drop from the tree. The tree also stops the production of chlorophyll which is the pigment that keeps leaves green as to keep producing would cost the tree a lot of energy. As the pigment is stopped being produced the leaves begin to change from green to orange to brown.

Small Leafed Lime is a native deciduous tree that can up to 40m. The leaves are heart shaped with a pointed tip and serrated edges, due to the way the picture has been taken you are unable to tell that the leaves are serrated. The edges are made to look smooth by the dragged shutter. The tree provides a food source to caterpillars of many different moth species as well as attracting aphids which then provide a food source for different predators such as ladybirds. Limes are associated with fertility and in some countries, they are seen as a sign of liberty and have been planted to celebrate different battles that have happened. Lime trees are liable to fungal disease which can cause the roots to rot.

The European beech tree is a native deciduous tree that can grow up to 30m tall. Younger trees have leaves the colour of lime with small silky hairs which fall off as the leaves mature and darken. The leaves are pointed with a wavy edge which reflects the movement shown in the image. Their autumn colour of the leaves is highly intense which is why the image is so vibrant. The beech is highly important to a lot of different wildlife providing multiple food sources. The European beech is seen as a symbol of femininity and is considered the queen of British trees.

The English oak tree is a native deciduous tree that can grow up to 40m tall. The leaves are lobed with smooth edges which is what creates the smooth movements shown within the image. The trees acorns provide a vital food source for animals such as mice and squirrels that will stash them for provisions over the cold winter period. Oak forests provide a habitat that supports more life forms than any of our other native trees. Oak has always been held in high regard across multiple cultures in Europe and is seen as a national symbol of strength and survival in England. It is also considered the king of British trees and has a long association with royalty.

Kennall vale is a woodland mostly made up of European beach trees along with, sweet chestnut, wych elm and sycamore trees. The site of an old gunpowder works the views are filled with crumbling buildings covered in moss and ferns surrounded by trees dropping their leaves. The floor shows a bed of leaves that have dropped from the surrounding trees. Every tree supporting different coloured levees the floor shows a sea of colour that is mostly brown with the odd hint of other brighter colours.

The closer to winter we get the less colour that is seen around us. The majority of the trees around us have dropped all of their leaves and now stand there bare until the spring begins when they will grow new leaves and begin the whole process again. All their leaves now lie of the floor desiccated and decaying on the floor. Autumn once a spectacular of colour now lies as a brown winter covering over the ground supplying it with the nutrients it will need over the winter.