Ginkgo trees in autumn display a purity of yellow-gold color that is rich and wonderful, and I photographed this branch against a Seattle sky white with light clouds to make the colors pop. The dark branches provide a strong contrast to the bright colors.

Ginkgo trees are considered living fossils because trees extremely similar to the current specimens existed 170 million years ago–their direct ancestors saw the emergence of many kinds of dinosaurs! Up close, the leaves are elegantly fan-shaped, with parallel veins leading away from the leaf base in visual harmony.

Location: Seattle Japanese Garden, Washington State, USA