Clash of colors

I've been back in North Carolina for just over two years, but it still amazes me that we're 3-4 weeks behind Indiana in terms of fall color. The colors here were at their peak late last week and early this week. Here are some photos I took in the SouthPark area just before the big rain on Thursday.

I must admit that the red maples are my favorite. If I could, I'd plant red maple trees everywhere. I'd be the Johnny Appleseed of red maples. :)

The downside to a late fall color season is that, well, autumn colors kind of clash with holiday colors. My brain still can't get used to this. But the remaining leaves won't last much longer. I'm going to enjoy them while I can!