Libe Slope Autumn

A Magnificent Display

MichaelStephenWills

Libe Slope

Libe Slope is between the West Campus and Quadrangle / Libraries.

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Cornell University is on a west-facing hill above Cayuga lake.

Besides the exercise of walking the 18 degree incline several times each day, Cornell students and alumni remember The Slope for autumn color.

 

Wonderful Flow of Limbs among Gold

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Hickory

Seen from the north on a cloudy October day, this Pignut Hickory (Carya glabra) is the largest tree on the Cornell Campus, at 79 inches in diameter.

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Cornell University is on a west-facing hill above Cayuga lake.

Take another look at the previous image. Can you find the grey squirrel? This hickory grows south of the Johnson Museum and among the autumn glories, it is the largest and brightest yellow canopy on Libe Slope.

Contrast

An overcast day is the best to capture this spectacle. October 20, 2012 provided both bright sun and dark, rolling autumn clouds. I waited on the north side, sheltered from the glare of the sky, for these perfect moments.

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I remember this hickory for the contrast between the canopy and trunk, the way the clumps of yellow hang from dark boughs.

The pignut hickory is native to these Eastern United States. It is known to favor moist slopes and this specimen has thrived on The Slope. The ground beneath it is thick with nuts.

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One week later

Just one week later, late afternoon on a sunny Friday as hurricane Sandy approached the east coast the hickory has fewer, tawny golden leaves.

Copyright 2021 Michael Stephen Wills All Rights Reserved

17 thoughts on “Libe Slope Autumn”

  5. I love the fall colors. You have some stunning photos of autumn leaves. Yes, how quickly they change this time of the year. I’m enjoying them here in Portland, Oregon because my granddaughter’s first birthday was three days ago. I’m going back to southern CA where there are no seasons. 🙂

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  9. Glorious autumn photos, Michael and the Hickory is stunning! What a beautiful contrast between the golden foliage and the darker tree trunk! As for The Slope – aptly named and I can imagine the first weeks new students panting their way to the top and by the end walking it without even noticing the incline!

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