“Autumn Aspen Leaves” — Aspen leaves turn orange and brown in the Eastern Sierra Nevada.
There are little personal spots all over the Sierra Nevada that I return to each year — a bend in a road, a tree, a favorite rock, a viewpoint. These trees are on that list. I suspect that most passers-by might not really notice them. They are along a route to a different popular place, and there’s a good chance that most people are thinking more about that destination. And when people leave that other spot, their attention may well be focused on the road more than on a couple of trees. But I notice, and I stop almost every time.
“Boulder, Stream, Autumn Trees” — Autumn aspen trees line a Sierra stream interrupted by a boulder.
I have stopped to look at and sometimes photograph this little stream for a couple of decades. It lies along a road in the Eastern Sierra Nevada where I often photograph fall color and occasionally go to access backcountry trailheads. At the right moment of the day and season, it is surrounded by very colorful aspen trees.
“Sierra Creek, Autumn Colors” — Autumn colors line an Eastern Sierra Nevada creek.
I have photographed fall color in the canyons of this Eastern Sierra drainage for several decades. It is safe to say that I know the area pretty well at this point. Yet I still find new views that I had missed before — some, like this one, are in such obvious places that it is almost embarrassing that I did not see them! I have literally pulled over here and parked scores of times, but always to look for something other than this view.
“Fallen Leaves” — Fallen autumn aspen leaves, Eastern Sierra Nevada.
I have spent less time in the Sierra this season than usual — perhaps due to some other travel earlier in the year. I finally got up there near the end of August for a few days of photography and mind-clearing. But over the past two weeks I’ve managed two trips over the crest to photograph the fall color transition and related subjects. This photograph comes from these recent visits.
Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.
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