I went seeking fall on the North Kaibab National Forest. And Forest Road 610 east led me into a colorful wonderland.
Welcome to the official September equinox when the sun will rise due east and set due west all over the world.
As the nights get longer in the Northern Hemisphere the autumn pallet appears.
The aspen glow like neon signs along the Las Vegas strip all vying for my attention.
Monsoon rains leave puddles that reflect the changing season.
Rounding a corner into brilliant light makes me sing with joy. Be thankful you can’t hear me singing.
I stop to lie down on the leaf littered forest floor.
And look up through the magnificent aspen into a brilliant blue sky.
Shadowy light beacons me into the glowing forest to dance with the aspen.
Yet the shadows draw long.
As the waning day calls me home filled with aspen energy.
What colors your world this day?
I brought this post out again to prepare for fall of 2013. Plus linking to Patti’s One Road at a Time Falling into September blog carnival. Check out how other bloggers interpret ‘Fall’ and join in with your own story.
Very beautiful photos. I also love autumn colours, we have them now a lot. Justifies the expenses spent on getting expensive photo equipment.
since my visit to colorado, aspens are, by far, my most favorite tree =o)
Aspen runs a close second to Ponderosa Pine for my favorite.
thank you for seeking and sharing fall colors with us
your photographs are a joy to see!
Thank you Tammie. I was on a mission.
Autumn is looking beautiful through your photos. I love the one looking up through the aspens.
Thanks Janie. That’s my favorite too. Only took 400 photos to get one superb one.
Absolutely beautiful. I was at The Mesa at the beginning of last week. The oak brush was starting to put on a show, so I imagine around Rico, Telluride and along the Million Dollar Highway the colors are really amazing.
Thanks Cristy. I’ve been reading posts from Telluride and Oray with some gorgeous fall colors.
Happy Autumn! It’s so beautiful there. I especially love the pictures taken when you were shooting up! Fantastic. I should try that (but probably making sure somebody is close by in case I “can’t get up again!
And a Happy Autumn to you also. Just love the colors of the season, but don’t particularly look forward to winter. Wasn’t sure I’d get off that forest floor either. And I was alone.
Happy Autumn Equinox to you Gaelyn. Your photographs are beautiful. Our colors are not so far along as yours but this day of balance is certainly one to celebrate. Thanks for sharing yours with me.
Happy Autumn to you also Sherry. The colors were so spectacular. I took 400 photos.
I see there are some leaves falling here but there is no golden colours much as yet. Your autumn is way ahead of ours. Beautiful photos with stunning colours. Diane
You can be thankful fall isn’t there yet as that just means it’s closer to winter. Brrr….
I don’t have words for these views and colors! Especially the one looking up through the aspen.
Thanks Therese. I was speechless most of the afternoon. Oh, maybe that was because I was alone. Well, except for the singing. 😉
Beautiful! Peace. Contentment. Tranquility.
Thanks Gumo. I agree with all of the above.
Your Fall color expedition looks to be very successful. I remember as a kid we would all pile into the car and head off to the mountains to look at the colors. Seems like we always got stuck. But we always had shovels and such in the trunk.
My mission was Very successful. And I didn’t get stuck.
Spectacular! Especially love the one looking up!
Thanks Colleen. Also my favorite, and only took 400 photos to get it.
Just beautiful photos! I’m really enjoying the colors here in Colorado too.
I’ll bet they’re equally gorgeous.
You are a “gold miner.” Very nice.
Stunning! Does bring a smile! 😉
I love looking at the sky thru the trees like that
I’d almost forgotten how beautiful the shimmering aspen leaves are – thanks for the wonderful reminder. 🙂
You’re welcome Cheryl. I’d almost forgotten myself.
You have some really gorgeous shots. I can’t believe the trees are already turning because down here, I’m not really feeling the fall love. Enjoy all the colors. Your forest pics are really nice.
We are at a little higher elevation here Chris. Don’t rush it, fall will come.
This is a gorgeous series of photos! I especially like the view of the canopy looking up at the sky!
As autumn moves in there spring is returning down here. Temperatures are up already and I can’t wait for summer. But I don’t want to depress you. LOL! The pictures are stunning. Beautiful colours
Please don’t rub it in. I love Fall, but not keen on winter. Going to Central America in January & Feb. 2014 back to SA.
The photo you took from the ground is fantastic!
Go ahead and sing out load, Gaelyn! No wonder you want to break out into song with such gorgeous sights along your route. Beautiful fall colors.
Thanks Cathy. But trust me when I say you don’t want to hear me sing out loud. I really need to get out because the colors are just starting to change.
Wonderful photos- love our National Forests!
Yes, marvelous places to visit.
What beautiful photography~
Makes me wish that fall would stay this way all year!
Thank you. I could live with these colors all year also.
I was born n’ raised in Wisconsin and the many colors of fall are breath taking. Now we live in Utah and love the aspen’s and their colors. I especially loved your picture of looking up towards the sky through the aspens.
I grew up in Illinois with my Dad from Wisconsin so I know what you mean about the fabulous fall colors. But the aspen make a close second. Thanks for stopping by.
I love these photos, especially the reflection in the water puddle – so pretty! Thanks for linking up!
Thanks Patti. Hope to have my other fall at the falls ready Monday. And thank you for hosting.
These colors do invite you to lie on a carpet of leaves and just enjoy the beauty around you. Beautiful.
Yes, and they are soon to return on the North Kaibab.
Awesome photos, Gaelyn! My favorite fall pics are country lined roads with trees and their leaves turning color 🙂
Thanks Mike. Me too.
I attended Williams College in the Berkshire Mountains of northwestern Massachusetts. The fall up there was literally breathtaking (as in, the trees could make you gasp — right before you’d break into song 😉