Beverly Collins, Western Carolina University’s fall color forecaster, announced her bold predictions this week that leaf looking season this year will be pleasant and reasonably colorful in the region. A WCU biology professor, Collins combines her knowledge of forest ecology with weather observations to evaluate the potential of the upcoming season, known to draw thousands of visitors and residents alike into higher elevations to see the surrounding natural beauty. She is predicting many hues of leaves in mid septemebr through most of November.