Leaves Changing in July

     I thought it was my imagination at first. Then I thought it was just the filter of my sunglasses but it’s really true, the leaves are changing color in July.

     The leaves on the birch, aspen and ferns alongside the Gunflint Trail are turning yellow. Some trees are completely yellow already and it isn’t even August.  The intense heat of the summer is no doubt stressing the trees and causing the early transformation.  The sunshine and lack of consistent precipitation didn’t help matters nor did the early spring.

     The leaves may be changing but there’s plenty of time left to paddle the BWCA this summer.