dead sweet gum leaves

Why is it the simplest things are always the most satisfying? I picked this twig of sweet gum leaves up on my walk this afternoon just because it was such a great, deep, dark brown. Then it took about 15 seconds to drop it into this little tin measuring cup. Finished. Viola. Fini. And I'm really enjoying looking at this!

 There are also some sweet gum ball stalks on this stem and one pine tag that was clinging to the stem when I found it.