Aspens and sagebrush, autumn, Inyo NF, CA, USA
In most people’s estimation – including mine – this year was a poor one for fall color on the eastern side of the Sierra. Some aspen groves just turned brown and dropped their leaves early, probably because they were stressed by the drought. Other more well-watered groves turned late. It was hard to find areas where most of the trees were at peak color at the same time.
And yet, despite all that, we found some wonderful color on the east side this fall. I had a great time photographing the aspens before, during, and after our workshops. I posted a couple of eastern-Sierra grand landscape scenes earlier, but here are some more intimate views of the aspens on the east side. Whether the color is early or late, good or bad, there’s always something to photograph over there in October. Nature is resilient, and ever-beautiful.
— Michael Frye
Aspens in late-afternoon sunlight, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens and creek, Bishop Creek Canyon, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens and creek, Bishop Creek Canyon, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspen colors, autumn, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens and rock folds at Convict Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens in fog, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Trees in fog, autumn, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens and willows, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Aspens reflected in a beaver pond, Inyo NF, CA, USA
Related Posts: Autumn Landscapes; Processing Autumn Landscapes; More Colorado Aspens
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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: 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.
All photos are so striking and impressive that I can’t even select one to be my favorite! Heck, I’m one who even likes sagebrush, its fragrance, especially after a refreshing rain, as well as its honey.
Thanks very much Ann! I like the smell of sagebrush too.
Very nice Michael, thanks for sharing. I too found my trip there this year a bit disappointing versus prior years. But I still enjoyed it immensely and came home with some nice shots. Nature is always beautiful.
John, as I said, there’s always something to photograph, and I’m glad you found some things you’re happy with.
Wow, another great set of fall color photos. So inspiring for me to get my butt out of my house to do some photography.
Thanks Joe, and I hope you do get out there!
These are all gorgeous! A beautiful set of photos. Not poor; so very rich!
Thanks Deborah! And it’s always rich over there.
I believe that when we can get past the iconic images in our minds that we are expecting to see, hoping to see, we can actually make even better pictures than ever. Not having the perfect autumn means we have to search for the ‘gems’ – the intimate views, or landscapes with special light, etc., that are just as wonderful. Thanks for sharing those with us!
So true! Sometimes a limitation forces us to focus.