I grew up in Danbury, CT; a place that fully experiences the seasons and their extremes. I've always been particularly attune to the fall season, maybe due to my October birthday and how intensely I looked forward to it as a child. To me, fall has never been a symbol of decay and impending winter. Instead, I find that the brilliant colors and display of uniqueness in each changing leaf makes the autumn season the liveliest of the year.

While I've left my New England home to live in New York, where I cherish even the smallest display of fall color, I make a point of visiting Connecticut to experience the season at its most vivid. I have distinct memories of being submerged in a pile of newly fallen leaves; the crisp smell; the crunchiness. I, of course, did not fully appreciate the beauty of the season during my childhood, as I had come to expect the display each year without question. Now, however, I am always surprised by the beauty I come across when I return for a weekend in the fall.

I had just visited a few weeks before, but the change in that small amount of time was astonishing. After arriving late the previous night on the train, the colors on hold until the morning, it felt nothing short of magical to wake up in my old room with blood-red maple leaves poking softly at the window.  I decided that I needed to experience the full extent of the beautiful color, and so I went to a trail that I used to hike often. Nestled behind a golf course, it's hard to imagine that following this skinny, winding trail will reward you with expansive views of the surrounding hills. I walked the trail on this warm October day, taking pictures of trees along the path. I  was forced to put down my camera and stare for a long time, though, when I came to the top of the hill and saw endless waves of yellow, red and orange. The sun beat down on the trees, igniting them.

Before I left to continue my walk, returning deeper in to the woods, I took a picture to try to capture the brilliant autumn display. The leaves will be falling soon, that I know; but at that moment I couldn't imagine a sight more intensely alive. And I felt more vibrant because of it.