 EPOD - a service of USRA

The Earth Science Picture of the Day (EPOD) highlights the diverse processes
and phenomena which shape our planet and our lives. EPOD will collect and
archive photos, imagery, graphics, and artwork with short explanatory
captions and links exemplifying features within the Earth system. The
community is invited to contribute digital imagery, short captions and
relevant links.


 Archive - Bountiful Autumn

   November 20, 2021

    6a0105371bb32c970b019b00a71e7c970d

   Every weekend we present a notable item from our archives.

   This EPOD was originally published November 28, 2013.

   Photographer:  Jeanette Stafford
   Summary Author:  Jeanette Stafford
    Folklore suggests that a bountiful crop of  hawthorn berries
   ( haws) in the autumn predicts a severe winter ahead. However, this
   year’s glut of berries and soft fruits is the result of  unusually
   cold weather in the first half of the year. Thus, spring arrived
   several weeks late. Temperatures in the UK during March 2013 were about
   6 F (3.3 C) below average, making it colder than the preceding three
   winter months and the coldest March in 50 years. The unusually cold air
   inhibited plant growth and delayed blossoming by around six weeks for
   some trees and plants, such as hawthorns ( Crataegus monogyna).
    Hawthorne Hawthorn or “ may” usually flowers during the month of
   May, at least here in Scotland (at left). This year the hawthorn didn’t
   bloom until June, the latest I’ve ever observed. Once the risk of
    frost damage passed, blossoms were quite abundant. Now that the
   leaves have dropped, hawthorn trees are laden with crimson berries, a
   plentiful harvest for birds and other wildlife.
   Unusually cold spells in the  British Isles often occur when a
   climatic pattern called the  North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)
   experiences an extreme negative phase. March 2013 as well as the cold
   winters of 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 all had acutely negative NAOs. Time
   will tell if cold conditions prevail during the coming winter. Should
   this in fact happen, those who espouse folklore may well feel
   vindicated. Top photo taken on October 14, 2013.

   Photo details: Top - Camera Model: PENTAX K-5; Focal Length: 42.5mm
   (35mm equivalent: 64mm); Aperture: f/4.5; Exposure Time: 0.0080 s
   (1/125); ISO equiv: 100. Inset - same except: Aperture: f/8.0; Exposure
   Time: 0.0016 s (1/640); ISO equiv: 200.
     * Mugdock Country Park, Scotland Coordinates: 55.973306, -4.330566

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Plant Links

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     *  Plants in Motion
     *  What Tree is It?

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