The tulip tree on the edge of the west meadow is, due to its location, often silhoutted against the sky.  With a somewhat complicated branching structure, including a curving main trunk and lower branches that arch down to the ground, it is an important piece of the visual landscape. 

Last night, I happened to be wandering about just after dusk and it caught my attention.  I had noticed that it was turning colour a few days ago.  This is a bit early, and probably a reaction to water stress: sitting on the break of the hill, it is last in line behind all the other trees for surface water.   The leaves that are turning first on it are the weaker leaves, those on the inside of the tree.  Almost all of them have turned gold, while the leaves receiving the most sun remain green, a rather useful approach to stress. 

Consequently, last night it looked as if someone had lit the tree from the inside.  It was a beautiful glowing gold where darkness ought to have been, with the green leaves on the outer tips of the branches.  No shadows, just this appearance of diffuse golden light.  Very elegant and unusual.