Late October Aspen

I was surprised by the number of Aspen leaves still on the trees when I was in Hope Valley last Friday.  And also by the color.   During my trip up here in early October I called the leaf color lemon-lime.  This week it's more like pumpkin orange.   This photo was taken about a mile downstream from where I took yesterday's photo, but on the other side of the river.  No frost here whatsoever.  I like the browning around the edges of the leaves.  It really makes them stand out.

Frosty Morning

The overnight lows were in the 20s around the Hope Valley area this Friday, and it felt as cold as it looks!  Everything on this side of the river was covered in frost.  Such a change from a few weeks ago!

Aspen Reflection

The Aspens in the Lake Tahoe area are at peak color right now, so I drove up there on Saturday to get some photos.  I have a handful of Aspen photos to post this week, but this one is definitely my favorite from the trip.  I tried this type of liquid gold reflection last year too, but I'm much happier with how this one came out!   This was taken in Hope Valley along the Carson River.  I'm already thinking this one will go in my 2014 calendar :) 

October 24

Tahoe Day 2:  I really struggled with tree photos yesterday.  I think this is because I had a particular photo in mind, and this is never a good thing for me to do, becuase it blinds me to all sorts of photo opportunities.  I like this one though (in spite of the lighting issues).  The scene caught me by surprise, and I think the depth of field gives it that look.  Like how you'd spot this tree in the woods and just focus on the carved words.  So it's whimsical.  I just wish the Love Tree were lighted better.  f/4 at 1/640, ISO160, 200mm.