Japanese maple "Momiji" - Acer palmatum

The Japanese expression of autumnal colored leaves 紅葉 denotes two things: the Japanese maple tree (momiji) and all the tinted autumn leaves (koyo).  Though most deciduous trees do turn colors, the colors which have touched Japanese people’s heart at its core from the ancient time is Momii (Acer palmatum) for its breathtaking burst of fiery colors, which soon muted in colors in the onslaught of winter.

I've tried to capture the brilliant red I see with my eyes by setting white balance “cloudy”.  It is better to set exposure compensation a little under-exposed when it comes to red leaves, but to me it depends as I prefer lighter, brighter tones.

A twig in the fire

The charms of Momiji is not only red colors, though shades of red is the dominating colors.  It comes in all the hues from green to yellow, orange, to pink, purple, and to red, in their process of changing colors.

Single individual tree has many various different colors.

The fallen maple leaves and the reflections also show the various different colors.

Momiji season is going to end.

Wearing kimono, the ladies are into the mood of Kyoto.
December 5th, 2015

In the middle of December, the leaves still clinging to the branches get faded in colors like the photo below.

Momiji flare up suddenly and disappear as suddenly like "senko hanabi", a small traditional Japanese firework you can play at home.  After lighting, orange sparks fly soon in the shape of a cluster-amaryllis; those sparks quickly disappear and small sparks begin to twinkle; a red ball of fire on the end of the paper string gets bigger and bigger, and finally falls down.

Senko-hanabi or Momiji?

Momiji's last flare is beautiful but brief.
My late mother used to say every year in her later years,
 "I wonder if I'll be able to see this beauty next autumn again."

Embers of fire 

The fallen leaves will be decomposed to become part of the soil 
which will enable successful birth and growth of young plants.