Autumn to Winter

We've been having a challenge getting to autumn in Houston; it's been warmish for the past several months with a few cooler periods.  But in the past week, suddenly we have colored leaves. The areas like those in the top photo that are prairie-like with native grasses have the autumn look also.  The grassess are topped with seed heads that blow in the wind--reminds me of the reference to "amber waves of grain" in the National Anthem.   Much of our autumn color (if we have it) results from Chinese Tallow trees shown in the bottom photo.  Normally they are considered an invasive imported "trash tree", but they offer the best fall color in this area.  Also, the red oaks, red maples, barton pears, and crepe myrtles can get in on the act.  

The old joke is that, in Houston last year, winter was on a Thursday.  But in fact, autumn (if it happens at all) is the most fleeting.  I expect to see the fall color fade fast--last night temps went into the upper 20s on the north and outlying areas of Houston.  Here in the Bay Area, primarily due to our proximity to Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it was in the mid-30's.  Still, a fair resemblance to winter for Houston.