Aspens and sagebrush, autumn, Inyo NF, CA, USA

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 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

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

Aspen colors, autumn, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens and rock folds at Convict Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens and rock folds at Convict Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens in fog, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens in fog, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Trees in fog, autumn, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Trees in fog, autumn, North Lake, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens and willows, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens and willows, Inyo NF, CA, USA

Aspens reflected in a beaver pond, 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.