Sunday, September 27, 2015

Autumn in Colorado!


Autumn is my favorite season. I lived most of my life on the east coast and enjoyed the multi-hued, autumn palette of the trees every fall. I often took trips to New England and upstate New York just to "leaf peep," as that tradition is called. Autumn in Colorado is a much shorter season than it was on the east coast. It comes quickly in an almost overnight explosion of gold! The shorter daylight and cooler temperatures make the aspen trees burst forth in hues of yellow, gold, and orange.  


(All photos and photo collages in this post will enlarge for easier viewing if clicked on)


The distant foothills and mountains become a patchwork quilt of autumn color, as the aspens are tucked in between the evergreens. When seen in contrast against the bright blue Colorado sky they seem to glow.


Autumn splendor begins in September, in both the high mountain elevations of Colorado and in the northern part of the state.




It then flows down, with time, to the lower elevations and plains, and towards the southern part of the state. So for about a month, Colorado is especially beautiful wearing her autumnal dress.




"How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains"  - John Muir




"Autumn burned brightly, a running flame through the mountains, a torch flung to the trees."  
- Faith Baldwin




"How beautiful leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days."  - John Burrough



I have been following autumn in different places in my area this year,  I'll be posting my photos more frequently this month to share their beauty. Check back soon!


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42 comments:

Lorrie said...

Those golden leaves against the blue sky make a striking scene. Just gorgeous. Autumn's colors are glorious. Great photos, Pat.

Unknown said...

Wonderful autumn colours! Enjoy your week!

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

The beautiful explosion of yellows. Have a good week ahead.

Mersad said...

To me this is heaven on earth :) Love fall colors and the nature there in Colorado seems to be full of them.

Mersad
Mersad Donko Photography

SmilingSally said...

Hi Pat,

This is indeed a glorious sight! Thanks for sharing it with us and playing today.

Happy Blue Monday!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Gorgeous colors you have in Colorado. Just one more reason that you love it there. We are just starting to get a little color here, more in the higher elevations. Hope you have a lovely week.
Sam

eileeninmd said...

Hello Pat, happy Fall. Your golden Aspens are just gorgeous. The views of the fall trees mixed with the pines is lovely. Wonderful images and post. Thanks for sharing the beauty.
Have a happy day and new week ahead!

Gemma Wiseman said...

This is a wonderful explosionof stunning golds. So scenic.

Jeanne said...

Good morning Pat, We are slowly starting to turn to autumn color here. Our color comes in late October. The Aspens are stunning. You captured some lovely pics for us to enjoy.

This Weds. we leave for France for a month. I won't be able to comment much. I will try to use my hubby's computer if it works. We'll see.

Have a great October and enjoy the Fall weather.

Hugs,
Jeanne

LV said...

I have been fortunate to see these sights in person several times. I have not been in awhile so really enjoyed your presentation.

Pamela Gordon said...

Beautiful golden photos of your autumn in Colorado, Pat. They really to bring 'light' to the landscape. I'll look forward to seeing more photos as fall progresses. It's such a pretty time of year although not my favourite. :) Have a great week.

Captured by Jade said...

The autumnal colours are just beautiful.

I always love shots of trees (any colour) against a bright blue sky.

Sharing snapshots at Captured By Jade

Sarah said...

I don't think it could get any prettier, Pat. Thanks for sharing the gold!
Happy Blue Monday!

Lea said...

Beautiful!
Have a great week!

Latane Barton said...

Happy, golden Fall to you. Beautiful pictures.

Linda Kay said...

Beautiful yellow and gold with the dark background.

Vee said...

Lots of beautiful golds in your corner. Much more color there than here.

Charlene N. K. said...

Wonderful colors! I love the combination of gold and green. Nice pictures!

Teresa S said...

You have golden autumn in there! I love this bright autumn light, before the kaamos-time. Happy mosaic monday!

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Those aspens are just spectacular in autumn, as the shimmer and quake in the breeze.

Forest Dream Weaver said...

Fabulous scenery......lovely photos!

Donna said...

A stunning display even if it is short lived!

Rajesh said...

Beautiful and colorful shots of autumn.

Barb said...

Your aspen shots are glowing, Pat! I'm sure enjoying our fall. We "peaked" at high altitude, but trees in town are still changing. Frisco is beautiful! I'm going ot Glenwood next week with friends, and I hope we find a pretty fall there.

Taken For Granted said...

Your Colorado aspen tree photos are terrific. Love the fall colors.

Beverly said...

Absolutely breathtaking, Pat. I hope to see it one day. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Lovely golden autumn in your little corner of the world! Great photos!

Willow said...

I love the gold against the bright blue background!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Wow Pat, Ontario can't compete with the tapestry of rolling golden hills of Colorado.
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous ---absolutely gorgeous, all of your pictures. Love Love Love Colorado this time of year.. You are blessed to live there.

We don't have too much color yet --but hopefully we will in the next several weeks or so.

Hugs,
Betsy

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

We have been lucky enough to have experienced autumn in New England, in the Ozarks, and oh other beautiful places, But golden Colorado is without doubt our favorite. However you are certainly correct, it is a matter of being there at the perfect moment!

Breathtaking said...

Such beautiful scenery, and golden splendour.

Pat F. said...

Gorgeous pictures, Pat! You are very lucky to live in one of the most beautiful states and your pictures sure prove that! Love your first picture; I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful blue sky and against the golden leaves is just incredible! I also love the golden trees mixed in between the green evergreens - simply stunning! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous pictures and I look forward to your future Autumn posts!

Ohmydearests said...

wonderful colours! so pretty!

NCSue said...

These shots are almost intoxicating!
I hope you'll come link up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/09/shake-those-tail-feathers.html

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Beautiful photos! I know it has to be so different than the NY autumn. I don't know if I told you but I lived 10 years in upstate western NY by the finger lakes. Fall was beautiful there. It is beautiful in NC too. I am waiting to see what SC looks like in the fall. The only trees that are turning now are young maples.

Judy said...

So beautiful...the contrast of the golden leaves and the blue sky! I'm thinking autumn might just be my favorite season! I used to say summer was...but I think I prefer fall.

Fun60 said...

Never heard the saying 'leaf peep' before but just think how appropriate. Those colours are fabulous especially against the blue skies.

Snap said...

Goodness. This makes me want to be in New Mexico. I love Aspen time ... and apple time! To be in the mountains and listen to the sound of the aspens in a breeze. Heaven!

Linda W. said...

Wow! Such spectacular fall colors in your neck of the woods! One of these days I need to plan a fall visit.

Powell River Books said...

Your fall foliage is just amazing. Our maples are just starting to turn her on the BC coast. - Margy

Parsimonious Décor Darling said...

I knew you would be sharing some sensational splendor here....beautiful pictures of Colorado, Pat....it makes me miss it all the more, what a gorgeous, gorgeous state! Thank you for letting me live vicariously through your wonderful lens. :)