Beautiful fall colours on display across Algoma
While many are sad to see summer go, the changing of the seasons highlights the hidden gem that is the Algoma District and its vibrant autumn colours.
Falling leaves represent a change of seasons, as trees prepare for the more dormant stage of winter.
Scientists say the Sault is lucky to have such a range of colourful trees, but why are the fall colours so spectacular here?
"We get slightly warmer winters, slightly cooler summers, a bit more precipitation than say areas to the east or northwest of us,” said John Pedlar of the Great Lakes Forestry Centre.
“I think it's those slightly softer conditions that allow us to have the abundant growth of some of the broad-leafed trees like the maples and the oaks."
For those looking to hike or plan a fall photo shoot before the trees are bare, experts predict the bright fall colours will last another two to three weeks.
Warm weather is expected to stick around for the next week in the Sault, and those scientists say the extra sunlight will enhance the array of colours.
"One of the colours we all love to see is the bright reds, and that's associated with a pigment called anthocyanin,” said Pedlar.
LIKE MATURING APPLES
“Much like you'd see an apple maturing in the summer, you get sugars that are residual in the leaves, and that interacts with the sun. That brings out those nice bright red colours."
It’s not just locals who enjoy the colourful display put on by Mother Nature. While many areas experience a slowdown in tourism during autumn, people flock to Algoma to experience the changing of the seasons.
"The hotels are full, and we see tour buses coming through,” said David MacLachlan of Destination Northern Ontario.
“Of course our premiere attraction is the Agawa Canyon Tour Train. We're probably one of the best areas of the country for people to come and see the colours."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

This Canadian couple used surrogacy to have a child. Here's what they want you to know
Families that need help conceiving a child are met with financial burdens that should be covered through government health care and insurance, advocates say.
Renowned Quebec entrepreneur, partner reported dead in Caribbean
Quebec entrepreneur Daniel Langlois and his spouse Dominique Marchand have died in their adopted home of Dominica, in the Caribbean, a source has confirmed.
Fatal stabbing of German tourist by suspected radical puts sharp focus on Paris Olympics
A bloodstain by a bridge over the Seine river was the only remaining sign on Sunday of a fatal knife attack 12 hours earlier on a German tourist, allegedly carried out by a young man under watch for suspected Islamic radicalization.
Teen girls are being victimized by deepfake nudes. One family is pushing for more protections
A mother and her 14-year-old daughter are advocating for better protections for victims after AI-generated nude images of the teen and other female classmates were circulated at a high school in New Jersey.
Rare Maud Lewis paintings up for auction online, valued at $35,000
Three rare Maud Lewis paintings are up for auction online today, estimated to be worth tens of thousands of dollars each.
Israel orders more people in crowded southern Gaza to evacuate as heavy bombardment shifts there
Israel's military ordered more areas in and around Gaza's second-largest city of Khan Younis to evacuate on Sunday, followed by heavy bombardment, as it shifted its offensive to the southern half of the territory where it asserts that leaders of the Hamas militant group are hiding.
1 person is dead and 11 missing after a landslide and flash floods hit Indonesia's Sumatra island
Rescuers recovered the body of a man buried under tons of mud and rocks from flash floods and a landslide that crashed onto a hilly village on Indonesia's Sumatra island. Officials said Sunday that 11 people are still missing.
'Meta took a bad decision': Canada's heritage minister says about Online News Act fallout
Canada's heritage minister insists the federal government is still working to get Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta back to the bargaining table to negotiate a deal to compensate Canadian news organizations as part of the regulatory process for the controversial Online News Act.
Strong earthquake that sparked a tsunami warning leaves 1 dead amid widespread panic in Philippines
A powerful earthquake that shook the southern Philippines killed at least one villager and injured several others as thousands scrambled out of their homes in panic and jammed roads to higher grounds after a tsunami warning was issued, officials said Sunday.