Aspens, Autumn Snow. © Copyright 2022 G Dan Mitchell.
A morning snow squall above a grove of autumn aspen trees, Sierra Nevada.
Since it is now July, it seems about time to start dreaming of autumn color, right? I always start thinking of fall color at about this point in summer. I’m not sure if this is a reaction against the hot weather season or just my natural inclination to always feel that my favorite season is the one that is coming next. On a ninety-degree day here in my (relatively cool!) part of California, I have to say that these conditions look pretty appealing right about now!
If I recall correctly, I made this photograph on a morning when it seemed that the conditions were conspiring against me. I had arrived here very early, well before sunrise, and in the faint light I could see that the aspens were thick with colorful leaves. As I started to prepare in the near-darkness a sudden squall swept through — the wind suddenly picked up, the temperature dropped, it began snowing, and I retreated to my vehicle. As it began to clear I realized that perhaps half of the leaves had blown of the trees, but the new dusting of snow on the ridge was compensation.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.
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Oh I love this photo! And I’m so ready for autumn too, I start thinking about it in July just as well. I love the contrast of the Muted gray sky with the bright orange fall leaves! Our heat index is 110 in Houston right now but your picture cooled me off!
I’m ALWAYS ready for autumn (my favorite seasons are autumn and winter), but I’d be even more ready if I lived in Houston!