Autumn: I may be right

I took this picture of a painting back in July. My snapshots were embarrassingly bad, but I thought I would use it for a post like this one. I often say that blogs change colours with the seasons. This one certainly does.

I found a thread on Digitalspy about exactly what I have been noticing recently: that the leaves are changing colours (and not only in England) and that it looks more and more like autumn. Some explanations have been advanced: dry weather (I am not totally convinced, as dry leaves would not turn red as I saw) and the generally cool, mixed summer we had. If autumn comes early, I am actually fine with it as I love the season and because I don't have any holiday any time soon. I know not everyone will be happy if I and those forum posters (is that the right word?) are right, especially after/during a muddled up summer. But I am glad I am not dreaming things up, it is not entirely wishful thinking.