The first 50!

fig. 50: genetically modified brown-eyed susan.

fig. 49: nature is filled with opposing forces.

fig. 48: decomposition usually follows a predictable pattern, as seen in this river pine.

fig. 45: squirrels are easily mesmerized by the leaf of the rain drop tree.

fig. 44: some leaves zig where others zag.

fig. 42: in late- to mid-winter, some leaves can be found in Florida sporting unnaturally bright colors.

fig. 41: the male of the autograph tree forms garish yellow patterns on its leaves in an attempt to attract a mate.

fig. 43: an older autograph tree leaf with its dignity intact.

fig. 38: in autumn, some leaves will use color bars to help get everything perfect.

fig. 37: many nuts are not patriotic at all.

fig. 33: the rare chameleobirch leaf can be harder to find than a 4-leaf clover.

(See video of leaf here.)

fig. 29: often, nature's designs even outshine man's

fig. 25: a 17 year old river rock.

fig 1: leaf of the clown tree

fig. 22: to get by in a white world, some leaves will go so far as to change their appearance.

fig. 13: fantail fungus spreads over the face of a streamside stone.

fig. 5: rhododendron showing signs of pixelanimus infestation

fig. 21: the different colored needles of the eastern hemlock rarely intermingle.

fig. 6: leaf of the rare Christmas maple

fig. 23: bark of the invasive zebra birch, introduced to the New World in 1789.

fig. 20: local children must climb high into the plaid tree to harvest its young leaves, traditionally worn at vernal equinox celebrations.

fig. 24: the lodgepole pine, pinus contorta, is especially vulnerable to attack by leopard print disease, spread by contact with wild cougars.

fig. 39: some leaves think they're better than all the others.

fig. 40: an old wives' tale says that 6 painted hearts will keep the frost away.

fig. 16: the more ostentatious river rocks generally stick together.

fig. 23: last season's colors can still be found on many rural leaves.

fig. 15: mountain laurel with peacock syndrome.

fig. 31: by late summer, some leaves have distinguished themselves, others not so much.

fig. 12: late stage orangification of the cholla cactus

fig. 11: pinecone showing early signs of blueitis.

fig. 2: inner bark of the immature clown tree

fig. 3: stripeticoccus bacteria on maple leaf

fig. 4: eastern redbud leaves can camouflage themselves for self-defense

fig. 7: unknown spores attack unidentified leaf.

fig. 8: metamorphic rock undergoing underwater metamophosis

fig. 9: fresh egg deposits of the shinyblue streamfly

fig. 10: solitary leaf of the chevron tree

fig. 14: hairy rocks hide behind a twig.

fig. 19: colored sticks huddle together for warmth.

fig. 18: like the aurora borealis, orange pine needle stripes only appear under very specific conditions.

fig. 17: on cold days, xylem and phloem turn blue

fig. 26: Butter clams along Cape Cod develop special markings in order to stand out.

fig. 27: On the north side of Cape Cod, clam markings bring to mind Robert Smithson.

fig. 28: Out toward Provincetown, the clams are a little more showy.

fig. 36: some leaves make a statement right up to the very end.

fig. 35: where scientists see "plus signs" others find a divine symbol

fig. 34: bright colors and patterns can deflect attention from the aging process.

fig. 32: a colony of orange-backed flatbugs attempts to hide against a hosta leaf.

fig. 30: in some gardens, the most magnificent fronds often sit right next door to squalor.

fig. 47: careful viewers can almost watch the green turn to black.

fig. 46: ripples of pool water can permanently scar a leaf, even after it's been fished out.