Big Beautiful World 3 -- Lake Waban, Wellesley College, MA

I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating, and tell all your friends to pass it along: It’s a big, beautiful world out there. Let’s stop trying to screw it up. What do you say? I was wandering the grounds of the Wellesley College campus, checking out the alma mater (which, side note, seems to be doing just fine without me there, hashtag gauzy nostalgia) and searching for some pretty leaves. It is the season for autumnal changes after all. But the leaves aren't quite as spectacular as they've been in other years--it was too hot too late, there was too much rain, not enough rain, there's a fungus in the maples, etc., etc. I've heard plenty of explanations for the lackluster foliage and sure, I get science and all, but it's still a bummer.And then--hooray! A lovely tree with bright red leaves stood proud and gorgeous along the shore at Lake Waban, and through a break in the adjacent shrubbery I could see leaves turning on the opposite shore. Right. On. As I got the camera and set myself up, an obliging swan swam into view, which is odd for swans because normally they're kind of jerks. As a bonus, mallards were trailing the swan like they were an entourage. I held my breath and took the shot.