This is one of the large old sycamore trees near the house; this morning the sun was hitting the beautiful white limbs just right to look painted against the autumn-blue sky. Normally, these trees would not lose their leaves this soon, but the ongoing drought has forced them to shed early. The upper branches are always a perfect snow -white after shedding the bark as they grow and expand each year. I love to stand at the base of the sycamores and peel the brown bark off in the fall of the year.