The scene describes the late autumn landscape, focusing on the stark beauty of the maples and oaks. Most of the maple trees have lost their leaves, leaving only a few vibrant red ones, while the oak leaves have turned a faded, rusty color. This imagery conveys the transition of seasons and the onset of winter.

In the background, the bay appears flat and gray, reflecting the somber mood of the overcast November sky. This setting evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation, characteristic of the themes explored in Elizabeth Strout's "Olive Kitteridge," where the natural environment often mirrors the emotional landscape of the characters.