Picture of the week

Sierra Autumn

Aspen trees showing off their fall colors within the Eastern Sierra.  Captured in the morning hours at Bishop Canyon on 10/9/2019.

I just spent 3 days traveling through the Eastern Sierra from Hope Valley to Bishop Canyon, exploring all my usual favorite locations along the way. It has been a mixed bag with some locations at their peak or just past peak, while others still green.  Overall it was quite worthwhile, finding many good nuggets for photographic opportunities.  During the midday light I tend to focus on more intimate settings that take advantage of the shade from the trees canopies, while capturing more broad landscapes closer to the morning or evening hours.  In some locations like Bishop Canyon with the steeper canyon walls, one is limited to a more daylight setting for illumination.

Here is my summary of the fall colors during my travels on 10/7 - 10/9:

Hope Valley:    Still on the early side, probably at about 50% in the main valley.  However, just up by the classic cabin it is probably at peak, while oddly down at Sorenson's it is already almost blown out.

Conway Summit:    Close to peak. 

Lundy Canyon:    Early, lots of green still with yellow closer to some of the creeks.

June Lakes: Close to Peak. Some green still around Rush Creek, but quite good overall.

McGee Creek:    Not that interesting.  Looks like the weather was not kind to this canyon.

Rock Creek:    Close to peak. Lots of good stuff at the lower half.

Bishop Canyon, North:    Peak, to just passing peak.  Pretty good, but a strange mix of green with peaked colors, with some already losing their leaves. Also I did not see as much orange here as North Canyon usually has a reputation for.

Bishop Canyon - Sabrina Lake:    Peak. Most populous location for leaf peepers, so good compositions tend to be more limited by the car traffic.