Natural History Wanderings

Fall Foliage in New York | Autumn Leaves, Scenic Drives has the following new report for New York fall color for the week of September 24 to 30. Go to website for map and photo.

Beautiful Near-peak Foliage Expected in the Adirondacks This Weekend

 

Bright leaves at midpoint of change appearing in Catskills, Capital-Saratoga, Chautauqua-Allegheny and Finger Lakes regions

Albany, N.Y. – Near-peak fall color makes its first appearance in New York State this weekend in the higher elevations of the Adirondacks region and northern portion of the Capital-Saratoga region, while foliage at midpoint of change can be found in the Catskills region and southern portions of the Chautauqua-Allegheny and Finger Lakes regions, according to observers for Empire State Development’s I LOVE NEW YORK program.

Near-peak color is arriving in the Adirondacks region. In Essex County, spotters in Lake Placid expect up to 90 percent color change by the weekend and near-peak leaves with very brilliant shades of red, yellow and orange. Color is progressing quickly and the amount varies with elevation. At Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, foliage spotters project midpoint of change foliage with 25-50 percent leaf transition and bright red leaves, along with some yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance. Near-peak foliage is predicted for Tupper Lake this weekend with 80-85 percent color change. Look for brilliant scarlet, sienna, pumpkin, salmon, goldenrod, dandelion, magenta, rhubarb and burgundy leaves very close to peak. In Hamilton County, foliage spotters in Speculator predict 85 percent color change following the first frost of the season. The most vivid colors are still near wetlands with the shades of red and orange coming on strong. In Herkimer County, spotters based in Old Forge predict 75 percent color change by the weekend and near-peak conditions with bright shades of mostly red and orange leaves along with some touches of yellow.

In Essex County, foliage is expected to be at midpoint of change in Newcomb. Spotters predict 60 percent color change at elevations of 1500-2000 feet and 40 percent change at 1000 feet. Look for bright shades of red, orange, yellow and crimson. Some areas above 2000 feet will be near-peak. In Hamilton County, Indian Lake spotters expect midpoint of foliage change with 45-55 percent leaf transition. Very bright colors are appearing across the landscape with the red leaves of the swamp maples and yellow leaves of the larches coming on strong. In the Champlain area of Essex County, foliage spotters in Willsboro are expecting 20 percent foliage change with predominating shades of orange and brown along with some patches of flaming reds. Also in the county, Crown Point spotters expect 15-30 percent color change with a mix of vivid and muted leaves of yellow, orange and red. You’ll find more change at higher elevations than at the valley floor. In the southern part of the region, foliage spotters based in Warren County predict up to 25 percent change in the northern part of the county and just 10 percent in the southern portion. Look for muted shades of yellow and orange along with some emerging shades of red.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, spotters reporting from Fulton County at the Southern Adirondack Pines Campground & Cabins(in the Adirondack Park) note that colors are coming on strong and will be near-peak by the weekend. There are a lot of yellows, rusty reds and large patches of bright red highlights. Foliage reporters from Gloversville note that the southern part of the county is a little slower in changing and will be at midpoint by weekend with patches of orange, yellow and red leaves. Foliage spotters in Benson at Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center are expecting foliage to be at midpoint of change by the weekend with 45 percent color change and the fall colors almost ready to overtake the green backdrop. Look for multiple shades of red, including crimson and burgundy, along with burnt orange, bronze-tinged yellows and some rusty browns.

Foliage change will be about 40 percent in Schenectady County this weekend with bright yellow leaves and touches of red. Spotters in Rensselaer County based in Brunswick expect 25-35 percent color change by the weekend with more color, between 30-40 percent, in the eastern and northern parts of the county. On the higher elevations you’ll find leaves of bright shades of orange, yellow, red and green. In Albany County, spotters in Voorheesville at Thacher Park expect up to 20 percent color change with bright yellow leaves emerging. In Saratoga County, look for 15 percent color change with bright red leaves emerging along with gold, amber and orange leaves.

In the Catskills region, foliage change will be at midpoint and heading toward near-peak this weekend in Saugerties in Ulster County. Look for bright gold, orange, red and yellow leaves. In Greene County, spotters based in Catskill expect 25 percent color change with bright red, orange and yellow leaves. Delaware County spotters are also calling for 25 percent color change. Areas of color are still spotty, with red and yellow leaves of average brilliance. In Sullivan County, 20 percent color change is expected with brilliant pockets of stunning reds, citrusy oranges and burnished bronze leaves. Spotters in Kingston, in Ulster County, expect just over 10 percent leaf change with touches of yellow-orange leaves emerging.

In Central New York, foliage spotters reporting from Utica in Oneida County expect foliage nearing midpoint of change by the weekend with 40 percent color transition and red leaves of average brilliance beginning come on strong, along with shades of orange and yellow emerging over the mainly green backdrop. In Herkimer County, spotters in Mohawk expect 30 percent leaf change with fall shades of yellow and red. In Schoharie County, Cobleskill-based observers project 25 percent change by the weekend with yellow an orange leaves of average brilliance. Broome County spotters in Binghamton expect 25 percent color change with bright red, orange and yellow leaves popping out from the green backdrop. Madison County spotters in Morrisville expect 20 percent color change with shades of red beginning to emerge over the predominately green backdrop along with shades or orange and yellow.

The rest of the region reports 10 percent or less color change.

In the Finger Lakes, Steuben County is expecting foliage at midpoint of change by the weekend. Spotters based in Corning are calling for up to 50 percent color change with average to bright yellow, orange and gold leaves with some touches of red. In Cayuga County, expect 30 percent color change with touches of red, orange and gold leaves emerging over the mostly green backdrop. Schuyler County spotters in Watkins Glen expect 25 percent color change with bright yellow leaves coming out over the mostly green backdrop along with touches of red. In Ontario County the leaves are expected to be 20-25 percent changed with stunning shades of yellow and vibrant shades of orange along with bright shades of red. Onondaga County spotters in Syracuse also expect 20-25 percent change with splashes of yellow along with touches of reds and purples beginning to fill in the green backdrop. In Livingston County, expect 20 percent color change with yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance.

In Monroe County, foliage spotters reporting from Greece expect 15-20 percent color change by the weekend. Some trees are now showing signs of yellow and some hints of red as well, while the remaining trees are showing a light olive green color. Wayne County spotters in Lyons project 15 percent color change with touches of dull yellow and orange leaves. Chemung County is also expecting 15 percent change. Spotters in Elmira note dull shades of red and orange leaves emerging. In Tioga County look for 15 percent color change. The rest of the region reports 10 percent or less color change.

 

Foliage in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region will be nearing midpoint in Allegany State Park(pictured) in Cattaraugus County. Look for 40-45 percent color change with touches of yellow emerging from the mostly green backdrop. Also in the county, spotters in Little Valley are calling for 30 percent color change with bright shades of yellow, orange and read coming out from the green backdrop. Chautauqua County is also looking at 30 percent color change for the weekend with pale orange and bright yellow fall colors.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region look for 30 percent color change and conditions approaching midpoint in Oswego County. In northern Oswego County areas such as Pulaski, Sandy Creek and Altmar, yellows and oranges are appearing on almost every tree with some brilliance. Areas around the Salmon River in the southern part of the county are starting to look beautiful with touches of orange starting to dominate the color. In Jefferson County, Alexandria Bay-based spotters expect 30 percent color change with green, yellow, orange and some reds of average brilliance.  St. Lawrence County expects 25 percent color change. Look for green, orange, red and yellow leaves of average brilliance.

In the Hudson Valley, Columbia County foliage spotters based in Hudson are expecting 30-40 percent color change by the weekend and midpoint of leaf change. Bright yellow and orange leaves, along with deep red leaves, predominate. In Highland, in Ulster County, expect 25 percent color change with leaves of bright, beautiful shades of red and yellow emerging. Orange County spotters in Goshenare also expecting 25 percent color change with bright swaths of red, orange, wine and yellow-colored leaves. Westchester Countyexpects 20 percent color change with red leaves predominating, along with some shades of gold. In Dutchess County, look for 15-20 percent leaf change, with the most change in the northern portion of the county. Predominating fall colors are bright orange and vivid gold. Spotters at Bear Mountain State Park in Rockland County expect 15 percent color change by the weekend with some dull yellow leaves beginning to emerge. Other stations in the region expect 10 percent or less color change.

In the Greater Niagara region, Wyoming County spotters based in Perry expect 10-15 percent color change for the weekend, with green leaves continuing to dominate the landscape. The rest of the region expects 10 percent or less color change.

Long Island and New York City report less than 10 per