Natural History Wanderings

Beautiful peak foliage continues to progress throughout the Finger Lakes region and into its final destinations in the Greater Niagara, Hudson Valley, Central New York, Thousand Islands-Seaway and Chautauqua Allegheny regions, while Long Island will see near peak foliage this weekend, according to spotters for Empire State Development’s I Love New York program.

In the Finger Lakes region, color progression was slower than expected in the Syracuse area over the past week. Near peak to peak conditions will remain through the weekend.

Spotters reporting from Syracuse University campus expect just about 60 percent color change for the weekend, with a considerable amount of green leaves remaining. The brilliance of the leaves is average and the predominating colors include touches of yellows and oranges. Peak foliage will arrive in Schuyler County this weekend. Spotters in Watkins Glen expect 95-100 percent color change and yellow, orange and red leaves of mixed brilliance. In Wayne County, spotters reporting from Lyons expect near peak conditions and 75 percent color change. Look for shades of yellow, along with touches of red and orange, and some remaining green leaves.

Spotters reporting from Rochester in Monroe County predict 70-80 percent color change this weekend with near peak conditions. There was considerable leaf droppage due to heavy wind and rain over the weekend. Yellow is the predominate color, along with some orange, red and brown leaves of average brilliance. Spotters reporting from the Brighton area of the city predict 70-75 percent color transition and peak to just past peak foliage for the weekend. The brilliance of the leaves is average and the predominating colors are yellow, yellow-green, dark red, and orange. About 25-30 percent of the foliage is still green or has dropped. Near peak foliage is expected this weekend in Seneca County, with 75 percent color change and a bright mixture of yellows, oranges and reds, with small hints of purple in some spots. Cayuga County spotters reporting from Auburn predict near peak foliage with 50 percent change, and leaves of yellow and green with touches of gold and orange of average brilliance. In Yates County, foliage will be at the midpoint stage with about 60 percent change this weekend. Lots of green leaves remain along with orange, red and yellow leaves of exceptional brilliance, and some patches of muted brown.

Foliage spotters in Steuben County predict nearly complete color change with bright to very brilliant shades of red, orange, gold and yellow and a mix of peak to past peak conditions for the weekend. In Livingston County expect just past peak foliage with 60-70 percent color change. Spotters reporting from Geneseo note that the brilliance is starting to fade, but the colors, including shades of red, yellow, orange, burgundy and green, are still vibrant in sunlight.

In Ontario County, spotters reporting from Canandaigua expect nearly 100 percent color change and past peak conditions this weekend. Wind and rain have taken a lot of the leaves from the trees, however some muted to average shades of yellow, orange and tan remain, with occasional bright reds and deep, dark reds. Expect about 90 percent color change and past peak conditions in Cortland County. Leaves are still bright and the predominating colors are shades of red, green and orange.

In the Hudson Valley, leaves will be peak this weekend in Dutchess County. Look for 80 percent change in the higher elevations and northern part of the county and 60 percent change along the river. Predominating colors are very rich oranges, many shades of gold and yellow leaves, and some deep shades of gold, along with some red and a little deep purple. Peak foliage will arrive in Westchester County. Spotters in White Plains predict 80 percent color change with bright yellow, red, orange and green leaves. Rockland County spotters reporting from the New City area expect peak foliage this weekend with 80 percent color change and very brilliant red, purple, yellow and orange leaves, along with some remaining green. Spotters at Bear Mountain State Park expect past peak conditions this weekend with 90 percent color change and dull orange, yellow and brown leaves. Foliage is past peak in Columbia County. Spotters reporting from Hudson expect golden yellows and oranges highlighted by deep reds, all of average brilliance. Orange County spotters reporting from Goshen expect past peak conditions with nearly 100 percent change and yellow, wine, orange and some red leaves of average brilliance.

In the Greater Niagara region, Orleans County will be peak this weekend with nearly complete color change and leaves of shades of gold and orange. Peak foliage will arrive in Erie County this weekend. Buffalo area observers predict 65-75 percent color change. The colors will be closer to 75 percent changed in the south towns of Buffalo approaching ski country, while the city center will be closer to 65 percent along the Lake Erie shore where it is a bit warmer. Leaves are bright and include gold-yellow, red, orange and purples and some touches of remaining green.

Foliage is mostly past peak in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region. Chautauqua County can expect peak to just past peak conditions this weekend with nearly 100 percent color change and brilliant shades of orange and red. Niagara County is also expecting peak to just past peak conditions with 80 percent change and a bright mix of all fall colors.

Long Island will see near peak leaves this weekend. Look for near peak foliage in Nassau County with 80 percent change and orange, red, purple and green leaves of average brilliance. Suffolk County foliage spotters expect near peak foliage with up to 70 percent color change depending on the area of the county. Leaves are average in brilliance and include colors of yellow, orange, red, purple and green. Foliage in New York City will be midpoint to near peak over the coming week, with yellow, orange and red leaves of average brilliance.

In Central New York, travelers should be able to find some peak foliage in Montgomery County this weekend. Spotters at Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site expect 90 percent color change with bright yellow and orange leaves, and some shades of red and pink mixed in. Sections of the Towpath trail are really brilliant. With nearly complete leaf transition, Chenango County will be past peak this weekend, with muted yellow, red and orange leaves, according to spotters in Norwich. Look for muted yellow, red and orange leaves. Madison County spotters reporting from Cazenovia expect past peak foliage this weekend with 80 percent leaf transition and bright but slightly fading orange, yellow and red leaves. One of the best leaf peeping opportunities in the county will be at Chittenango Falls State Park. In Oneida County, Uticaspotters report that the leaves are now past peak with nearly 100 percent color change. Some muted shades of dark gold and rust remain. Schoharie County is now past peak. Foliage reporters from Howes Cave note 70 percent color change and mostly muted colors of orange, yellow and dark purple, plus a few pockets of shades of red. Spotters reporting from Cooperstown in Otsego County project past peak foliage with 95 percent color change and some pockets muted yellow and brown leaves.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, peak foliage should hold on in Oswego County through the weekend according to spotters in Oswego. Look for nearly 100 percent change with warm shades of purple, red, orange and yellow. Foliage in Jefferson County is now past peak, according to spotters in Alexandria Bay. Color change is complete and leaves are orange and red.

Most trees in the Adirondacks are now past peak. In Warren County, foliage is past peak, although some nice color, including shades of orange, yellow and rust, remains. Leaves are now past peak in Franklin County. Spotters reporting from Saranac Lake note nearly complete color change and some remaining leaves of mildly brilliant yellow and gold. Spotters checking in from Malone predict nearly complete color change and past peak color. Leaves are mostly yellow and gold of average brilliance.

In the Catskills region, Greene County reporters checking in from Leeds note that the county will be past peak on the mountain this weekend with just some hints of red and orange left, and the valley and river regions will be just past peak with vibrant colors of red, orange and yellow.

Foliage is now past peak in the Capital-Saratoga region.