We’ve had a wonderful time in Colorado – again. The color hasn’t been as good as last year, but all the locals said that was one of the best autumns they’ve seen. This year the color was shaping up nicely around the San Juan Mountains in the southwestern part of the state, but then last Friday strong winds blew the leaves off many of the aspen leaves. Some areas seem to have received especially strong winds, leaving either bare trees or green ones, and few yellow leaves. But other places weren’t affected much at all, so there were still large swaths of spectacular color.
Here’s a photo from last week near Red Mountain Pass, outside of Ouray. This was made before the wind storm, but this is a high-elevation, early-changing spot, so some of the leaves had already fallen. Sometimes, however, a mixture of colorful leaves and bare trees is more interesting than just a mass of color; in this case the bare patches helped to make the diagonal lines of color stand out and create a pattern.
I would have posted more images by now, but had some computer issues, which are no fun anytime, but especially problematic when you’re on the road. Things are back up and running, at least for now, thanks to the helpful people at HUB Telluride. Hopefully I’ll be able to process more images soon, including that eclipse sequence from Joshua Tree.
We’re heading back to California today – first home, and then across the mountains for our Eastern Sierra Fall Color workshops. More aspens – can’t wait! I’ll give you a first-hand report about the fall color in the eastern Sierra when I get there.
— Michael Frye
Related Posts: From Eclipse to Aspens; Knowing What to Look For
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Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom 5: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
I can never get enough of the fall colors. Next year I may consider visiting Colorado. Thanks Michael.
Will your return trip take you up 395 for a colors report or or be bypassing the colors until you start your workshop?
The best thing about autumn is that it’s possible to sleep in* until 3am and still get up into the mountains and up the trail by dawn:
https://flic.kr/p/ysyjEc
Rocky Mountain National Park two weeks ago:
https://flic.kr/p/z6TVHh
* 😎
The good thing about CO fall is that it is always good somewhere in the State. But this was definitely an off year for us. Change was late due to the heat, snow capped peaks very late, wind, muted colors, and the underbrush didn’t change much at all. But we got out, worked really hard for a few good images, and we are glad you were able to join us again.
Well it definitely wasn’t as good as last year. But there was still a lot of color in places; as you said, it’s bound to be good somewhere, since there are so many aspens. We had a great time, and I came home with some photos I’m happy with, so what more could I ask for?
I understand what you mean. It is a reaⅼly goοd
blog.
mʏ site CSCS jobs