Fall colors peak in Maine

POWNAL (WGME) -- Foliage colors are at their peak for most of the state. Mainers and tourists are enjoying the reds, yellow and oranges of the season.

"The whole canopy just looks like it's on fire with all the yellows and everything. It's very very cool," said Joe Schattauer Paille.

Joe and his wife Anna live in New Jersey. Friday, they hiked to the top of Bradbury Mountain. They're in town for a wedding and made time to see the leaves.

"You're about a month ahead of us in New Jersey on foliage, so we get two falls this way," said Schattauer Paille.

The state park was busy with visitors from away and locals alike. For the Buzzell family from Gray, a walk to the top is an October tradition.

"If you hit the top, you see a whole bunch of beautiful colors that you've never seen in any other place at all. The best way is to come here and get on tippy top and you see a whole bunch of them," said Mark Buzzell.

Buzzell says he and his family have been coming to Bradbury Mountain for about eight years every Columbus Day holiday weekend.

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry tracks fall colors across the state, and right now, they say almost all of Maine is at peak. They've published the weekly Fall Foliage Report for the last 60 years.

The state relies on pictures from residents and visitors to track the progress of the foliage. They say the colors have really been popping this season, and that has brought in even more photos than usual.

You can submit your 2019 fall colors photos to MaineFoliage.com and assist the state with their Fall Foliage Reports.

Photography is part of the appeal for Rob Andrew.

"I enjoy taking pictures of the leaves and looking at them later. Fall is my favorite season, like probably many people in this part of the country," said Andrew, visiting from Oklahoma.

This is Andrew's first time visiting Maine or any part of New England, and he's learning what it means to be a leaf peeper.

"Love it. I mean, what's not to love? The changing of the colors, the temperature is wonderful up here. The people have been pretty nice. Can't complain about the Maine lobster either."

Fall foliage is less vibrant right along the coast for now, but more peak color is right around the corner.

See more fall photos from around Maine! Here is some advice on how to take the perfect fall picture with a smart phone.