Eastern Black Oak, Quercus velutina

On the  way through the wooded path to my brother's this morning I saw these fallen  Eastern Black Oak  leaves. A strong wind or a squirrel helped them fall I'm sure. After all the colorful fallen leaves we saw it Maine, the green leaves still on the trees here seem strange. The Eastern Black Oak is common, medium to large in size. Good crops of biennial acorns from the oaks provide squirrels, white-tailed deer, mice, voles ,turkeys and birds with important food. It's a valuable timber species, sold as Red Oak.
I love oak trees, all trees, but the oak is so powerful in folklore as well.

For the Record,
This day came in warm after the cold snap yesterday, it was gorgeous.

All hands wary