Fall Across this Land
Fall. The time of year here in North America that we usually associate with September, October and November. A time of year when things are yet again changing. I think of fall as a slower time of year when in fact it usually tends to be busy with holiday preparation and harvest time in the Pacific Northwest. However, when we travel to other areas, often, none of these things are case. The following images are encompassing of the theme of fall throughout the nation. These photos have been taken between September and November across the country over the last 3 years and represent what I think, stereotypically, are considered emblems of the season.
Autumn ElderTule Elk at a California State Wildlife Preserve
Tule Elk graze in a field in Central California's San Luis National Wildlife Refuge. They have widely been considered the smallest of elk species but this may only be due to nutritional deficits as some have reportedly reached weights of 900 plus pounds which is normal for the "larger" species. In 2014 a count of over 4,000 head in 22 herds live only in California and mostly in preserve areas as they were hunted nearly to extinction. This monster elder bull was kind enough to pose for a portrait.
Falling leaves float on the pond weed that coats the shallow, stangnat waters of a southern Cypress swamp. Swamps are usually associated with lakes or rivers and are crucial in the lifecycle processes as a type of recycling base. Swamps help to regenerate freshwater and oxygen as well as provide breeding grounds for many fish and are known for large carbon deposits that result in coal.
Autumn is like a ready, set, go signal for the racehorse community and such is the case here at Keeneland Race Track in Lexington, KY. This image was taken during the morning training hour at the track when the light is very low. There is nothing more exhilarating than the sound of hooves coming down the track in the cover of darkness and draped in the bluegrass morning haze. Senses are alive as they breeze into sight and then disappear again around the next turn.
Redwood FallA walk among the Giants in a Redwood Forest in the fall.
The redwood forest will always make for dramatic images but the color of the trail was substantiated after a drizzly rain just an hour before. The forest smelled amazing on this day and I wish they could make a candle that could actually reproduce the sweet smell of bark and evergreen leaves. Do you notice the man walking down the trail? Even the fern here seem bigger than he is!
Gulf Coast FallRelaxing under some shade on a white sand beach of the Gulf Coast.
Fall? No! People don't do this in the fall where I come from but they sure do in sunny Florida where fall temperatures make the outside world a very pleasant place to be. The couple in the background enjoyed some time on the lovely white sand beaches of the central Gulf Coast.
PLACEHOLDER? Picture of the post office!
Floating LeafSingle leaf floats in water
The quaintessential first leaf to fall from a tree signaling the change from warm to cold. This picture was taken in Northern Idaho where I had found a nice spot in the woods next to a creek and I remember the chill that was in the air. This yellowed leaf fell from an overhead tree and landed softly in the creek and quickly floated away. Although this image is also nice in color I love the texture that monochrome provides.
Autumn SunRemains of flowers in silhouette of the setting sun.
A very warm and colorful sunset on what was actually a brisk day. The husband and I were on a walk through a field in central California when I took this image of the dried up flowers that were still very photogenic.
This is a small highlight of my favorite images encompassing this theme. By clicking on any of these images you can be directed to a larger, theme oriented, gallery which I invite you to visit!
