September 10th Bill and I took a drive into the forest to Marble View and it was beginning to look like fall on the Kaibab.
For eight seasons I’ve been photographing the golden aspen and for the first six years the colors started about the third week in September.
Last year they started to turn the first week in September and this year the second week. What’s normal about weather?
But this year I’m seeing a lot of turn brown and fall down instead of the rows of brilliant color.
The 14th as I drove off the Kaibab I saw more trees turning but again not the usual bright yellows contrasting against the every green of the pines, firs and spruce.
The meadows are turning a golden brown that spreads far along the main road.
Where the bison hybrids graze.
Squirrels are stashing food like crazy. Does this mean we are in for an early and severe winter?
On the drive back to the North Rim the 18th I saw even more changing.
And my favorite little curved aspen by the North Rim’s entrance station has turned to gold.
Oh, and the view of the distant Vermilion Cliffs from Marble View.
Are the colors turning to fall where you are?
