Natural History Wanderings

Kit Frost had the following Colorado fall foliage report for the San Juans  today

Yesterday afternoon proved to be a good choice for fall photography in the San juan mountains. You have plenty of time to get out and see and explore, photographing the autumn displays. the color begins in earnest at haviland lake and continues to be blooming as you approach Purgatory, Durango Mountain resort. We stopped at the Pigeon, Turret View, we spent quite a bit of time at the turnoff for haviland lake and were even blessed with a few horseback riders in our scenes from Rapp guides. Beyond haviland lake on 550 North, the colors get less sporadic and richer in gold and deep oranges of the scrub oak. Just below Durango Mountain Resort we photographed a colorful copse in the overflow parking area right on the highway. This weekend, especially if we get the predicted snowstorm this area will be a stunner.

Suggestions:

• A great time to be at the Twilights reflection across from the entrance to the ski resort is about 5:30, as long as the wind isn’t too strong.
• If the storm comes in, its likely that Spud, the Twilight Peaks, and Engineer Mountains will all have a fresh layer of snow and the forest nearby will glow. Without the storm the entire Alpine loop is close to peaking, but still not in full bloom.
• I’m getting reports of great color up at Telluride but will confirm by driving up there this weekend.

See photos and older reports at:  Chase the Light Photography Lessons | Awesome Photography, Great Photo Instruction.