Fall foliage tour in Maryland

1. Watching the vivid fiery colors of fall doesn't always mean journeying all the way up to New England. For me, grabbing a camera and just walking out the front door meant walking right into a vibrant wave of color.

2. As autumn comes, gearing us up for winter, the bright red berries begin to shrivel and fall.

3. It always blows my mind how regal-looking trees adorned with vibrant orange leaves....

4. ....can lose their beauty within a matter of days.

5. Trees with turning leaves always look magical in large numbers, so with camera in tow I headed out to the modest-sized park next to the neighborhood high school.

6. At the park, I could observe how others were enjoying the season...from casual strolls....

7. ....to taking their dogs for brisk evening walks.

8. As the sun begins to set (one of the best times for snapping photos), this Braeburn apple-colored tree with its perfect mix of greens and reds casts long, elegant shadows.

9. Just steps from the Braeburn apple-colored tree, I stumbled across this classic snapshot of autumn -- a set of three trees, each representing the various stages and shades of color as the leaves change.

10. Though spring remains my favorite season because it signifies rebirth and new life, I pay due homage to autumn for the spectacular displays that signify a different journey -- one of transition, getting us all ready for the dark troughs of winter.

11. In the lowlight of sunset, my husband took this covert silhouette shot while I was temporarily engrossed in a nearby soccer game.

12. I wonder how trees begin to shed their bright leaves. Like a man slowly going bald, does the process start from the top as seen on this orange-tinted tree?

13. While many travel photographers may not readily admit it, we're all suckers for sunset shots, and that evening, the clouds swirling above brought on their own swatches of vivid hues.

14. The prismatic sky and colorful trees all working in concert produced a dreamlike effect around the entire neighborhood.

15. By the time the sun was gone and trees stood eerily against a darkening sky, my respect for autumn was rejuvenated.