Natural History Wanderings

Colorful peak foliage continues to appear across New York State, according to observers for the Empire State Development Division of Tourism’s I LOVE NY program. This weekend, look for peak leaves in the Greater Niagara, Capital-Saratoga, Central New York, Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Catskills regions. I LOVE NY defines ‘peak’ as the overall best appearance the foliage will have during the season. Foliage change has been uneven this season and travelers may find that some areas classified as peak and near-peak contain an abundance of green leaves, combined with the possibility of leaf droppage.

In the Greater Niagara region, spotters in Springville predict peak foliage in Erie County, with up to 90 percent color change. Expect various shades of yellow and significant leaf droppage. The city of Buffalo and areas to the north will see slightly less color change by the weekend. Foliage will be peak, with 70-75 percent color change and very bright reds and oranges taking over the landscape. There are also some golden yellows, deep burgundies and splashes of green. Peak foliage is expected to arrive in Genesee County this weekend, according to spotters in Batavia. Look for 55 percent color change and a mix of orange and red shades of average brilliance. Peak conditions are expected in Niagara County, based on reports from Niagara Falls. Leaves should be about 80 percent changed with a bright mix of red, orange and yellow. Foliage change slowed down over the past week in Orleans County, and spotters continue to project near-peak conditions with 75 percent color change and green, gold and red leaves of average brilliance.

In the Capital-Saratoga region, Albany County spotters reporting from Cohoes expect peak foliage this weekend with a mix of red, orange and gold leaves, along with some emerging yellow and remaining green. There is noticeable leaf droppage. Foliage in the Altamont area of the county will be past-peak this weekend. Look for scattered shades of gold and yellow of average brilliance. Fulton County spotters in Gloversville predict peak conditions this weekend with a mix of fall colors of average brilliance, along with leaf droppage.

Foliage will be just past peak in Rensselaer County, with color changes ranging between 70 and 80 percent. The eastern and northern portions of the county, as well as areas of high elevation, have the most color, although it is softening and diminishing. Leaves are mostly yellow, along with various shades of red and orange. Some trees are still totally green. Saratoga County will be just past peak this weekend, according to spotters in Saratoga Springs. Look for 80 percent color change and a range of bright colors including shades of yellow, amber, red, orange and green.

In Central New York, Montgomery County spotters at the Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site expect peak foliage this weekend with a mix of fall colors of average brilliance, along with leaf droppage. In Schoharie County, spotters predict about 80 percent color change for the weekend with mostly near-peak conditions. The upper elevations of the county are now past-peak, while valley areas still feature green leaves amongst the brilliant yellow, orange and red leaves, and purple highlights. In Otsego County, Cooperstown foliage spotters expect leaves to be at midpoint of change to near-peak with 70 percent color transition and muted green, orange and yellow leaves.

In Broome County, Binghamton leaf peepers predict that the leaves will be past-peak this weekend, with 65 percent color change and dull red, orange and yellow leaves. In Chenango County, spotters in Norwich expect past-peak leaves this weekend, with nearly complete leaf change, low brilliance and much droppage. In Madison County, spotters at Oxbow Falls County Park are predicting past-peak leaves this weekend, with shades of yellow, red and orange of average brilliance. Leaves are now past-peak in Oneida County, according to Utica spotters. Look for nearly complete leaf change and mostly pale yellow and pale green leaves and isolated areas of full color. There has also been considerable leaf droppage.

In the Finger Lakes region, foliage in Steuben County will range from midpoint of change to peak this weekend, with some areas seeing up to 90 percent color change, while other areas are still quite green. Look for bright red and gold leaves, along with shades of yellow and orange. In Cayuga County, look for about 85 percent color change and peak to past-peak conditions. There are lots of shades of red, orange and yellow of average brilliance, along with some green and brown leaves.

Livingston County spotters in Geneseo predict 50-60 percent change in the in the northern part of the county, with less color transformation in the south. Letchworth State Park, in the southern part of the county, is still green. Park officials expect the hickory trees to change color by the weekend. Look for peak to past-peak foliage in the northern portion of the county and foliage at midpoint to near-peak to the south. In Ontario County, spotters reporting from Canandaigua predict peak foliage this weekend with 60-75 percent color change and a bright mix of green, red and yellow leaves. The Geneva area will be near-peak this weekend, with 55-60 percent color change and bright spots of red and orange leaves mixed in with the remaining green.

In Rochester, look for foliage ranging from midpoint of change to slightly past-peak, with color changes ranging from 55-60 percent. Spotters report that colors vary depending on the location. Some areas are gorgeous with reds, russets, yellows, while others are dull with shades of yellow and brown. Spotters reporting from near Lake Ontario in Greece expect 70-80 percent color change with a full variety of foliage. There are areas of bare trees, while immediately south and east of the city there is still predominantly green foliage. Most places are somewhere in the middle, and the area will be near-peak this weekend. Look for yellow and green leaves of average brilliance along with touches of red and orange.

In Onondaga County, spotters reporting from downtown Syracuse expect 65 percent color change and near-peak conditions this weekend with vibrant yellow leaves along with notable pops of orange and red. Spotters reporting from the Syracuse University campus predict that foliage will be mid- to near-peak this weekend with 50 percent color transition and shades of red and yellow of average to above average brilliance. Spotters note that some trees that displayed bright yellow and red leaves last week have started to fade with the colder temperatures. Leaves will be near-peak in Seneca County, with 70-75 percent projected leaf change and shades of yellow, orange and red of average brilliance. Some smaller trees are beginning to lose leaves, but others remain full featuring a variety of colors.

Color change has been slow in Ithaca, where spotters are calling for near-peak foliage this weekend. Look for 70 percent color change with leaves of muted green-yellow, orange, and emerging shades of red. Depending on the hill, some have trees have fall color and some are still considerably green. Leaves will be at midpoint of change in Tioga County, according to spotters in Owego. Expect about 35 percent color change with muted red and yellow leaves, along with plenty of remaining green. In Wayne County, foliage will be at midpoint of change with 45 percent color transition and bright green leaves, along with some gold and red. In Yates County, foliage will be at midpoint of change by the weekend. Look for average shades of yellow, red and orange. Foliage will be around 50 percent changed in Chemung County, according to spotters in Elmiraand Horseheads as color transformation slowed down over the past week. Leaves are muted and are mostly yellow, with minimal amounts of orange. In Cortland County, spotters expect past-peak foliage this weekend with about 90 percent color change and yellow and orange leaves of average brilliance.

In the Hudson Valley, foliage spotters in Columbia County reporting from Hudson project peak conditions this weekend with 80-95 percent color change with average leaves of golden yellow and deep red. In Dutchess County, look for an average of 75 percent color change and peak conditions throughout most of the county, especially at higher elevations, and near-peak along the Hudson River. Colors include bright shades of red, orange and yellow, along with some green. Spotters in Kingston also project peak conditions, with 75 percent color change and bright orange, yellow and red leaves, along with remaining green leaves.

In Rockland County, spotters in New City predict near-peak foliage by the weekend, with 60 percent color change and bright green, orange, red and yellow leaves. Spotters at Bear Mountain State Park predict that foliage will be at midpoint of change by the weekend, with 45 percent color transition and muted green leaves along with glimpses of red and gold in some places. In Orange County, spotters reporting from Goshen expect foliage will be at midpoint of change with 60 percent transition and yellow, orange, rust and red leaves of average brilliance standing out from muted shades of green on the trees yet to turn. Color change will remain low in Westchester County this weekend, according to spotters in White Plains. Look for less than 15 percent color change and widely scattered patches of red and gold-yellow leaves of average brilliance.

In the Catskills, peak foliage will arrive in southeastern Sullivan County, according to spotters in Forestburgh. Look for 90 percent color change and mostly dull gold, brown, and wine-colored leaves, along with some remaining green leaves. Ferndale spotters predict near-peak foliage this weekend with 45-50 percent color change and green leaves of average brilliance, along with pops of bright red and purple. In Kingston, expect foliage just past peak with 70 percent color change and orange, yellow and red leaves of average brilliance, along with some remaining green. Leaves in most other areas of the region are now past-peak.

Leaves will be mostly past-peak in theChautauqua-Allegheny region this weekend. Look for peak conditions at Allegany State Park, where 70 percent color change and mostly faded yellow and orange leaves is predicted. Due to rain, colder temperatures and high wind many trees are without leaves. Oak trees are still showing green leaves, but some are just starting to change at this point. The Little Valley area will see a mix of past-peak and peak conditions this weekend, with some trees and locations seeing full color, while others have an abundance of green leaves. Look for dull deep red and orange leaves. Hillsides have both an abundance of green leaves and bare trees. Chautauqua County spotters reporting from Chautauqua expect overall just-past-peak foliage conditions this weekend with bright orange, red and yellow leaves. The amount of change varies by area and there has been leaf droppage.

Foliage is mostly past-peak throughout the Adirondacks region. In Essex County, spotters in Crown Pointexpect peak to past-peak foliage this weekend. Look for 95-100 percent color change and average-to-bright shades of golden-yellow and russet, along with some oranges and reds. Foliage is just past peak in Schroon Lake. This weekend, look for nearly complete color change and bright burgundy and gold leaves.

In the Thousand Islands-Seaway region, Jefferson County leaves will be mostly past-peak this weekend, with some areas of gorgeous peak color remaining. Fall colors include brilliant shades of red, bronze and yellow. In Oswego County, look for just-past-peak foliage with 100 percent color change and a dusty amber landscape with muted shades of red, orange and yellow, along with some leaf droppage.

On Long Island, spotters reporting from East Meadow in Nassau County predict that foliage will be at midpoint of change this weekend with 40 percent color transition and purple, red, yellow, and orange leaves of average brilliance, plus a lot of remaining green leaves. Spotters checking in from Jerichoexpect 10-20 percent color change this weekend with yellow, gold and rust leaves of average brilliance, along with some bright yellow leaves. Spotters reporting from Riverhead in Suffolk County, on eastern Long Island, predict that foliage will be at midpoint of change with 40 percent transition and red, yellow, orange and green leaves of average brilliance.

In New York City, spotters reporting from Morris Park in The Bronx expect 20 percent color change this weekend with bright pops of yellow leaves. Some trees have undergone a complete color transformation, while others remain unchanged.