2015 Maryland Fall Turkey Season Totals

Hunters reported taking 116 wild turkeys during Maryland's three-county fall turkey season. The one week season ended on Nov. 7. The harvest was 13 percent lower than 2014, when hunters harvested 134 birds.

Harvests by county:

Allegany County 36
Garrett 49
Washington 31


source: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Maryland Fall Foliage 2015

Fall foliage has begun to appear across parts of Maryland, according to the Maryland Office of Tourism and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fall Foliage & Festival Hotline.

Some of the earliest displays of fall foliage can be found in western Maryland. Traditionally, foliage in Garrett County begins to turn around the end of September and peaks around mid-October.

Maryland's fall foliage hues usually vary from year to year, depending on Autumn temperatures, rainfall, storms, and other factors.

During the Fall season, trees release a chemical called phytochrome, which slows down chlorophyll production in preparation for winter dormancy. As the green chlorophyll recedes, foliage changes color.

The amount and acidity of tree sap also affects foliage colors. Strongly acidic sap leads to red and other brightly-colored foliage, while less acidic sap produces more yellows or softer tones.


Fall Foliage Colors

Yellows

Ash, White
Basswood
Beech
Birch, Rive
Birch, Sweet
Buckeye, Ohio
Coffeetree, Kentucky
Cottonwood, Eastern
Elder, Box
Elm, American
Hazel Nut
Hickory, Mockernut
Hickory, Pignut
Hickory, Shagbark
Hickory, Shellbark
Hophornbeam, Eastern
Locust, Black
Locust, Honey
Maple, Silver
Oak, Chestnut
Pecan
Redbud, Eastern
Shad Bush
Tuliptree
Walnut, Black
Walnut, White
Willow, Black

Reds - Pinks - Oranges

Dogwood
Gum, Black
Oak, Northern Red
Oak, Pin
Oak, Scarlet
Oak, Southern Red
Oak, Swamp Chestnut
Sourwood
Sumac

Browns

Oak, Bur
Oak, Post
Oak, Shingle
Oak, Swamp White

Baltimore Tall Ships 2015

Several tall ships will be visiting Baltimore during late summer and fall 2015.

The following is a partial list of tall ship arrivals:

USCGC James (WMSL-754) – 418' cutter
Dates: Aug. 18-21    
Location: Fells Point, Broadway Pier

USCGC Eagle – 295' tall ship
Dates: Aug. 28-31
Location: Inner Harbor, West Wall

Kalmar Nyckel – 141' tall ship
Dates: Sept. 10-14
Location: Inner Harbor, Pier 1

Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race Schooners in Baltimore
Dates: Oct. 11-14
Location: Baltimore Harbor

HNoMSStatsraad Lehmkuhl – 322' Norwegian tall ship
Dates: Nov. 4-10 
Location: Inner Harbor, West Wall

Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival 2013

The 33rd Annual Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival will be held on weekends throughout October in Montgomery County, near Germantown, Maryland.

In addition to pumpkins, Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival includes hayrides, pony rides, hayloft jumping, food, crafts, animals, entertainment, pedal tractors, the Twisted Pumpkin Corn Maze, Spider Web, and more.

Fall Bear Activity

Experts warn that during the fall season bears may be attracted to trash, pet food, birdfeeders, and other human-provided food sources, which can lead to dangerous encounters.

As temperatures begin falling, black bear activity usually increases as the animals prepare for hibernation.

According to Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Keeping trash and pet food in a place where bears can’t get to it is the best way to avoid problems with bears.

Citizens should also delay feeding songbirds until the winter months to avoid attracting these animals.

Since bears may travel many miles in search of food, motorists traveling in Maryland’s western counties are reminded to watch for them crossing roads, especially during October and November.

Maryland’s bears will begin entering dens in mid-November and most are denned by mid-December.

To learn more about Maryland black bears, citizens can contact DNR staff 301-777-2136 (Western Region), or 410-260-8540 (statewide).

source: MD DNR

Maryland Fall Foliage

Maryland is one of the top states in the Mid Atlantic for viewing fall foliage. In several areas, fall colors are spectacular, especially in October.

Maryland flora includes not only deciduous trees but countless species of shrubs, bushes, vines and other plant life.

Throughout much of Maryland, viewing fall foliage can be as simple as a tour of back roads in rural areas. State parks and national wildlife refuges are also good places to experience the State's outstanding plant life.

Attending a fall festival is another way to enjoy fall colors in Maryland. Some of the best fall festivals held in the State include the Maryland Renaissance Festival (Annapolis), Annapolis Fall Festival, Autumn Glory Festival (Garret County), Maryland Fall Home & Garden Show (Timonium), and the Fall Harvest Festival & Crafts Show (Farm Museum at Susquehanna State Park - Havre de Grace).

One of the best ways to see fall foliage is to take a river tour in Maryland. Many of the State's tidal rivers are lined with trees, shrubs, berry plants and other flora that cannot be seen otherwise.

From September thru November, trees and other plants along the banks of Maryland's rivers and creeks are ablaze with red, orange, yellow, gold, green, and other colors.

bald cypress trees in bloom

red maple leaves

red maple leaves

gum tree leaves

shades of green, red, yellow and gold

berries along a river bank

poison ivy

End of Summer in Maryland

With the days getting shorter, the nights cooler and the first red leaves appearing, Maryland outdoor enthusiasts are beginning to realize that the fall season will soon be here.

During late August, flocks of blackbirds, mourning doves, Canada geese, mallards, and other migratory birds will start to appear in the skies over Maryland. 

This sweetbay magnolia bloomed brilliant white in May.

By mid August, magnolia seeds are turning bright red, signalling the impending end of summer.

In forests and along river banks, Maryland red maples are beginning to turn colors.