Fall Favorites

Somehow the sun is setting earlier. For some odd reason the fireflies have stopped flashing at dusk. I now require a blanket while dozing away on my couch after dark. At night now, the raging chorus of crickets have dwindled to sparse solo acts. The most telling of recent changes would be that I have switched from a refreshing cup of cold brewed coffee, to a steaming mug of hot java. Another season has slipped away and in this surreal time we are living through I’ve been reflecting and remembering a lot.

Waterfalls are a favorite of mine to photograph. Generally, I tend to gravitate towards water. In the early days of Autumn, I begin a journey to a mental place. I pay more attention to the minor, day to day signals. Yellow buses hit the pavement again. We start to experience less hot and humid weather. In recent years, it’s hard to avoid the retail explosion of everything pumpkin flavored. More so, it’s the pockets of color among trees.

For many of the past years, I’ve been traveling North to capture the changes. Maine, specifically Acadia National Park, has been my go to spot. From my first year of being overwhelmed and not knowing where to go, or when the light would be good, to recent years of making quick hikes up mountains alone in the dark, to capture the Milk Way. Due to 2020 being the way it is, I’ll be postponing my trip until next year. I will find a way by then, even if it’s car camping. I did that there for a week in the past, and would be glad to do it again.

The next two photos below will always remind me of a rainy adventure. It was raining on and of all morning, but I still went out hiking. The rain added yet another layer to the hike. A gentle and calming sound on the leaves. The colors popped more and I had the trails completely to myself.

By the time I got to the area with the boat, I was soaked. The rain had begun to fall with serious intent. Trees off in the distance started to fade as if a fog was taking over. My boots needed some serious drying time before my next adventure out.

Back home in and around Philadelphia there are plenty of areas to watch for color too of course. I have a feeling that this year I’ll be exploring them more, including my favorite locations in the Pinelands.

Even when the show is just about over sometimes you can find the remnants. Combine the sparse color of a season passing by with an early November stormy sky for a daydream inducing shot.

In just over a week from writing this, I’ll be making a short trip into New Hampshire. My gut says it’s a tad early for foliage spectacle, but I’d expect some decent pockets the further North traveled. There’s a possibility for some moose photos too! Stay tuned.