Is the UK 2011 autumn early?

Please hang fire for expert words of wisdom later on in the blog checking out  this question:

“Spring 2011 was possibly the earliest on record, so does this mean that autumn will be early too?"

In the mean-time, here are first-hand, local recorded signs of Autumn as on 23 September 2011 in St Albans – please see the red box on the UK map.


 Click images for an enhanced view of autumn's partial look in Verulamium Park, St Albans on Friday 23 September 2011.

(The park is named after the Roman City of Verulamium on which it stands.    Perching on the hill, is the St Albans Cathedral.)


On the bus from Hatfield to St Albans, I made a point of having a sharp look at the trees for signs of autumn.  Some are ablaze, others have not even started to make any autumnal show.

Here is a sample of my  HUNTED and FOUND autumn colours, in the Park, helped along brilliantly by the low sun.

And for a quick comparison,  a few pictures taken in Harpenden, a few miles from St Albans, 2 days ago, Thursday 22 September 2011


In the Verulamium Park, close to the outdoor excercise area, there stands a middle-sized Chestnut Tree that reminded me of the tree from which God spoke to Moses. Though it looked as if it was on fire, it was of course nothing like that wondrous fiery bush and encounter Moses experienced with "I am who I am."  

By the way, the intimate closeness of Jesus in us and us in Him as the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father - is this not in a way our own personal fiery bush?.    Self-note:  appreciate the all-important and awesome reality that Christians are in Christ and draw near in Jesus' Name.  Realise you are on holy ground, take on board what He says (as in obeying), enjoy Him, listen/pray/sing/ shhh be quiet/ask questions/wait in His presence much, much more often!

Again, for enhanced view, click image.

Question:
I wonder if someone could tell me why some Chestnuts produce red autumnal leaves and others yellow?  Are they different varieties?


And now for those expert observations and forecasts and links:
http://visitwoods.org.uk/en/visit-woods/for-nature/Pages/early-autumn-2011.aspx

Spring 2011 was possibly the earliest on record, so does this mean that autumn will be early too? Some scientists and phenology experts believe that autumn will be early because leaves have a shelf-life, so the earlier they appear on the trees, the earlier they will be shed in autumn. Others believe that trees remain growing and retain their leaves for as long as temperatures are high and water is available.
Records submitted by the public over the past decade suggest that trees across the UK will start to showing the first signs of autumn colour during late September, getting their full autumn colour by late October.
However, some trees are starting to show autumnal colouring early because the dry spring meant they have not had enough water, despite the high rainfall in June and July.

I have just been to South Africa and felt rather disorientated seeing trees in full spring blossom.  But now it is autumn-time in the Northern Hemisphere….enjoy!

Daniel 2:21
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning.

Acts 14:17
Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.