The 22nd of September is the equinox – the first day of autumn in the northern hemisphere, and the first day of spring in the south. The word "equinox" comes from Latin and means "equal night". All points on the Earth's surface experience 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness, apart from the north and south pole where it will be about to change from permanent light to dark, or vice versa. In the northern hemisphere, days will get shorter and nights will get longer until the winter solstice on 21 December.
From leaves turning red to the start of the deer rutting season, IBTimes UK presents photos of Britain as we leave summer behind and head into autumn.
The Virginia creeper covering a 15th century cottage housing the Tu Hwnt i'r Bont tea room in Llanrwst, on the banks of the River Conwy in north Wales is pictured turning from green to red on the final day of summerPaul Ellis/AFPA squirrel with a conker (horse chestnut) in its mouth sits on top of a log at Richmond Park on the first day of autumnJack Taylor/Getty ImagesDeer are pictured during sunrise over Richmond Park on the first day of autumnJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA deer emerges from the bracken in Richmond Park. Autumn marks the start of the rutting season for deerJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA fawn leaps through the undergrowth in Richmond Park on the first day of autumnJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA stag calls in west London's Richmond ParkJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA dew-covered spider's web hangs from blades of grass at dawn in Richmond ParkJack Taylor/Getty ImagesCanada geese fly above Richmond Park. Although geese can be seen in Britain all year round, many arrive in autumn to spend their winters hereJack Taylor/Getty ImagesFallen leaves are seen among the bracken in Richmond ParkJack Taylor/Getty ImagesThe leaves on a tree in Richmond Park show their first hints of turning yellowJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA coot swims on an algae-covered pond in Richmond Park. Algal blooms flourish in hot weatherJack Taylor/Getty ImagesA man cycles past morning mist hanging low in Richmond Park at dawnJack Taylor/Getty ImagesLong shadows stretch across south London's Kennington Park first thing in the morningDavid SimA woman cycles through Greenwich Park on the last day of summerCarl Court/Getty Images
