Here in Northwest Territories, autumn moves quickly. Three weeks ago, the leaves were just starting to turn.
Now the yellow is darkening to brown and black and almost all the leaves are on the ground.
We are about to head into the Northwest Territories’ best season – winter. Gleaming with atmospheric pinks and blues and a low sunlight that bounces off ice particles in the air, the sky is suffused with gentle colour and undulating sparkles.
Here is a favourite winter photo from a couple of years ago.
The Aurora Borealis is amazing, but like the variety of us, it’s not the only light show in town.
Greetings from the remarkable northern lights – of all kinds. 🙂
In the Net! - Pictures and Stories of Life 
Where I live we just got Autumn because summer refused to leave.
That happens sometimes. I hope you enjoyed the lingering summer. 🙂
Nice post my friend.
Thank you! 🙂
I can see why that’s your favorite photo, Lynette. It’s gorgeous!
Thank you so much, Jill. 🙂
This transition period of season is amazing and it is wonderful to watch the changing colours of nature.
Yes – I completely agree. So lovely to watch. 🙂
Autumn is just beginning here. It is nice to see your lovely picture of the snow that will soon come to your area. I have never been as far North as you are, but I know it has to be beautiful. Enjoy winter – all seasons hold their own beauty.
Thank you! 🙂 I am used to being further south and to a slower autumn as well. But here in the north winter shines, literally. So lustrous and sparkling.
I do enjoy snowy days but I am not ready yet. No, no, no! 😊 Our autumn colors are still at the beginning stages. Wanting to hang on to fall just a little bit longer.
Autumn is so beautiful, and it can be cool but not cold. I understand why you want it to linger. 🙂
Are you seeing Northern Lights now, or is that yet to come? I would love to witness that sight. I know there are parts of the earth where it’s dark most of the day in the winter and light most of the day in summer. Is it like that in the NW territories?
This is the first week where it’s felt like fall here. Weather is actually perfect. Bright, clear sunshine and cool weather that’s wonderful to sleep in without a/c or furnace heat. We’re just starting to see leaves turn, and this weekend it’s supposed to get really cold. We aren’t expecting snow, but it’s supposed to pass just north of us by about 100 miles. I’m still waiting to see the full-on vibrant colors of autumn. Last year we didn’t get much of a fall, so I hope it doesn’t pass us by again and go straight to winter.
The Northern Lights can be visible at any time of year because they are caused by charged particles from the sun striking the Earth’s atmosphere. They are really spectacular in the winter because it gets very dark and you can see them so well. 🙂
For the most part, I am in the “southern” part of NWT, so our days will shorten to about seven hours of daylight. Inuvik, which is near the Arctic Ocean (and is about 1800 km [1100 miles] further north from me) becomes completely dark for about 30 days.
In summer, Inuvik gets about 60 days of midnight sun while we get about 22 hours per day of light with about two hours of twilight.
I don’t have a problem with the short daylight hours but I really dislike the lack of darkness in summer – I have real trouble sleeping, in spite of blackout drapes.
I love a long, lovely fall with cool but not cold temperatures. So great. 🙂 I hope you get a chance to visit the north sometime – it’s a unique experience. 🙂
Thanks for explaining, Lynette. I enjoy learning this stuff. 🙂
That last photo is spectacular!
Thank you Brian! 🙂
Do you whistle down the lights? The first time I ever saw them I was living super far South, in Port Moody BC. They were spooky cool and it took a moment for me to figure out what they were. Now I see them all the time in Edmonton and they have yet to lose their charm.
Nothing beats a Winter sky, day or night ❤
The winter sky, especially in the north, is amazing! 🙂 In this area, you’re not supposed to whistle at the lights (or make sounds at all) because they will come down on you and you will disappear. Some of the older folks are very superstitious about that.
I’d heard that too and for sure the first time I saw them a person could not have paid me enough to whistle,lol. I’ve since learned about another tradition- whistling makes them dance- and that one fills my heart with glee so I take my chances and whistle them down. ❤ I just love all these different beliefs.
Wow. And I am in North America for the fall colours; autumn 🍂
Hi Ashok. 🙂 If you are too far south, you won’t see the northern lights, but I hope you will enjoy the colours. 🙂
Thank you so much Lynette. Maybe colours this time and the Northern Lights next 😇
Change happens fast. 5 days ago it was clear in Manning Park, today the road was slushy and the trees wore snow jackets.
Snow seems to be hitting the south early this year! We had some three days ago, but that’s normal for here. 🙂
We’re just heading into Autumn, but it’s supposed to get chillier near the end of the week. I cannot wait!
As always, your pictures are amazing and give a gorgeous (and enviable!) view of where you live. xoxox
Thank you! 🙂
I love the cool but not cold temperatures of fall in the more southern parts. 🙂
Oh I agree, winter is the Arctic’s best season! (well, for those with sufficient resources to enjoy it in safety and health…) Having participated in the Inuvik Return of the Sun Festival one year, it occurred to me that the “Land of the Midnight Sun” slogan should be matched — if not outdone — by “Land of the Midday Moon.”
Yes – good point. 🙂
I love the idea of “Land of the Midday Moon!” The Land of the Midnight Sun attracts too many MOUSes (mosquitos of unusual size). 😉
those mosquitos are the size of ATVs…
Hey Lynette, I was unable to comment on your post today. Perhaps you have the comments closed?
Thanks for letting me know. 🙂 For some reason, this post defaulted to “comments closed.” It should work now. 🙂
Wonderful images, Lynette. Living in Florida, I do miss seeing the beauty of the changing seasons.
I used to live in Arizona, so I understand. It got cooler in December and January (and the flying was much more comfortable because of that) but I missed the seasonal changes.