Reflections of aspen trunks and leaves
Here are a few of my favorite images from our trip to the Eastern Sierra last week. These three photographs share some common themes: all have water, and reflections, and are more about colors and patterns rather than any particular subject. In other words, they’re abstract. I tend to see this way—to look for designs rather than concern myself with accurately portraying a subject. If the opportunity to photograph a grand, sweeping landscape presents itself, great, but if not I try to look for less obvious subjects, and sometimes get lucky and find hidden jewels.
Sky and leaves reflected in Rush Creek
Meanwhile, I started teaching a five-day workshop yesterday in Yosemite Valley, so that allows me to keep tabs on the fall color in Yosemite Valley. The yellow big-leaf maples are great in a few spots, like along Southside Drive underneath Middle Cathedral Rock (across the valley from El Cap), and near the old Lower River Campground. The dogwoods are turning more slowly, but show some nice color in places. And the oaks around Cook’s Meadow are just starting to change.
I don’t think we’ve reached the overall peak color in the Valley yet; that me be another week away. But there may not be one peak. The big-leaf maples are near peak in several spots already, while the dogwoods and oaks have a way to go.
Obviously I haven’t been back to the east side. Those canyons should still contain plenty of colorful aspens, but no doubt some groves have lost their leaves. If you’ve photographed eastern Sierra aspens lately, I’d love to hear what you’ve found!
—Michael Frye
Related posts: Yosemite Valley Fall Color; More Eastside Aspens
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author and photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters, plus the eBook Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom. He 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.
Colorful hillside reflected in a beaver pond
Beautiful photos. Inspiring and refreshing. Next year I will make sure to go to the Beaver Pond. This year we cut it short, but enjoyed Rock Creek, McGee Cayon Creek, Lee Vining Canyon, road to South Lake, Mono Lake and Mt Whitney Portal. The latter took 2 1/2 hours away from our morning so it is not suggested for someone on a tight schedule. However it was beautiful. We were there Oct 15. Thanks for your update and fabulous images.
Enjoyed your recent blog/photos Michael. I’ve always been a “sweeping landscape” kind a photographer. Been trying to find more abstract scenes within the grand landscapes.
I took a drive last Thursday (10-20-11) to the eastern Sierra. Not an fall color expert, but it looks like it’s at its peak. Maybe one more week. I started at Convict Lake and hit June Lake loop, Lundy Canyon and Conway Summit. Just finished my last blog entry on my website if anybody is interested (http://www.imagesinthebackcountry.com/blog/).
Wonderful! I wish I could contribute more to what’s going on here on the East side, but I see you have many comments that are helping not only those out of the area, but also those of us who live here and haven’t gotten out much.
Wanted to thank Mike for the link! Always enjoy seeing who’s out there doing what they love even under adversity!
Michael,
I was on the east side last weekend. As you reported, there was good color in Lundy Canyon and Lee Vining Canyon. Nice color was also found between Silver Lake and Grant Lake along the creek. Conway Summit was OK, but seemed past peak as you head up the road to Virginia Lake. Probably still some good color to be found this weekend. Best Regards
Lovely pics Michael. I am glad to hear that Yosemite isn’t at peak yet, but am hoping there will be some nice fall color somewhere the week of Nov 14 when I arrive for a few days. What are your thoughts on that? Never the less, Yosemite is always a place to be enjoyed no matter what time of year. Thank you for your updates.. Happy Shooting!
Hi Michael
Got up to the Sierra on Monday . Think I missed it by a day or two as the wind was blowing pretty hard by time I got there . June lake loop was looking past its best so I drove up 120 .
Sadly I didn’t have time to get down to the valley this time . But hey great excuse for another trip in a week or 2.
Still here are a couple of photo’s I got up on the Tioga pass.
http://www.selbyphotography.com/Landscapes/Fall-2011/19782052_pJCWVj#1554392293_nW7JBLw
Thanks Michael for the appreciated updates and sharing those nice reflections! Thanks to those who also shared their blog posts- especially the shots up Tioga Rd. I wasn’t considering heading up there when I come up on Monday but will make time now.
Thanks for the comments, reports, and links everyone!
Michele, Nov. 14 is probably too late for autumn color in most spots, but it’s possible there could still be color in Yosemite Valley. It depends on the weather – if it stays warm and dry the color might linger.
Sorry about the short comment, but I’ve got to get up early again tomorrow!
Thanks Michael for inspiring me through your blog to explore the east side of the Sierras for fall color. I was over there last week right when some of the areas were peaking. Had a fantastic 3 day trip that I’ve shared on my blog. http://commonteri.blogspot.com/
What an amazingly beautiful area and time of year to visit. Had some photography friends go over this week and they said a lot of it was over. They still got some great shots but it’s a bummer there’s such a short window of opportunity to catch the peak fall color.
I hear the maples are still looking good along the Merced river in Yosemite.
Terry, you’re very welcome – I’m glad you got out there! And you posted some beautiful images on your blog. Yes, the maples are looking good, though some are only partially turned.
Michael,
We were in the Eastern Sierra’s last weekend. The Bishop area was way past peak, but the Lee Vining area was good, though just past peak. Lots of bare trees mixed with colorful ones.
It seemed like a much shorter time frame this year to catch the fall colors as compared to last year. All in all, we did find some very great locations. Thanks for your recommendations and updates (and your iPhone App to help guide the way).
Richard
Richard, fall always seems short to me! But I have to say that I really like the mixture of bare and colorful trees – I think that’s very photogenic.
I added 10 Eastern Sierra photos to my album at this link:
http://www.betterphoto.com/?phyllishoughton
Nice work Phyllis! I especially like last one, second row, of the aspen trunks.
Thanks Michael. That was my first and best attempt at high key and it was you who sparked my interest. Thank you 🙂 Also ty for the posts
as I had to cancel my trip for tomorrow and will be watching to see if it remains good in Yosemite.
Beautiful abstracts, Michael. I didn’t get to the Eastern Sierras, but I did have a blast in Yosemite this past weekend, despite the lack of clouds.
Thanks Vivienne – glad you had a good time in Yosemite!