Fall 2009, The Last Hoorah
The fall colors here in South-east Wisconsin are coming to an end. I’d say that about 70% of the trees are now bare and those trees that still have leaves aren’t going to have them for long. The forecast for Thursday and Friday is calling for winds 20-30 mph with a chance of thunderstorms.
It’s been a strange fall here in Kenosha. It seems like it took forever for the colors to get here, and when they did get here they only peaked for a few days. The weather didn’t help matters. We had a pretty hard freeze in the middle of the month that wiped out most of the oak tree leaves, we’ve had over 4 inches of rain this month and to top it all off the wind has blown more days than it hasn’t. It’s been pretty tough conditions for photography.
I’m somewhat disappointed with how this fall has gone, but having said that, I’m very happy with the pictures I got this year. Considering I’ve only had a few days that were suitable for shooting, I was able to take advantage of them and get some real nice images.
I went out to Petrifying Springs yesterday for the last hoorah of the season, here are a few of the pictures I got.
Unless I happen upon a grove of trees that survive the next couple days, these will most likely be the last fall pictures from this year. Now it’s time to get ready for the winter snow and ice. I have ideas for pictures that will require me to get up for some sunrises and deal with sub zero temps this year. I’m already getting my gear ready to go, I just hope my body is ready too.
Also check out my SBDigitalArts post: At Autumn’s End
The same conditions here in southeast Michigan, many rainy days, mid-month frost quickly accelerating the brief show of fall color and few suitable days for photography. I understand your frustration with this short and haphazard colorful autumn. Autumn color is far too brief in duration. Your photos are spectacular from when you were able to get out and enjoy the brilliant color season.
Thanks Janet.
Yeah it was frustrating, but that’s Mother Nature for ya. Never know what she’ll throw at us.
It wouldn’t have been as bad if it wasn’t for the wind. I can shoot in the rain, but even a light wind moves the leaves just enough to blur them at the slow shutter speeds I shoot with.
Oh well, maybe next year will be better.
Until then, bring on Ol’ Man Winter!!
Great photos Steven. Just curious – what direction are the prevailing winds there? On the west coast, of course, they’re from the west and northwest, except when a storm is coming when they switch to the southeast. Of course that can all get modified due to local topography. I’m guessing the situation is similar there? Or not.
In general everything moves from west to east, but the direction of our wind depends on the front that’s moving through and where it’s position is. If the low is to the south, the clouds will normally move in from the south-west. If the low is dropping in from Canada, called an Alberta Clipper, then the clouds will come in from the north-west. Once the low has passed the clouds can wrap around and come in from the north or north-east, that’s when we get our lake effect snow in the winter. It’s not uncommon for us to have east or south-east winds when there’s a low to our south or westerly winds when the low is north of us. I’ve seen the wind blow hard in all directions since I’ve been here. I’ve yet to figure out which direction it blows the most. It’s about even.
Here’s an example: They’re calling for south-east winds tomorrow as the front that’s currently in the plains approaches. It is forecast to move north over us and the winds will shift to south-west on Friday. I imagine the winds will shift to north-east this weekend since they’re calling for cooler temps on the back side of the low.
Since moving to Wisconsin I’ve become much more aware of how air masses move across the country and effect the weather. It’s much more dynamic here than in California.
Did the leaves on that rock just fall there naturally, or did you arrange them? They look so perfectly spaced….very cool….and very pretty pics.
BTW – High deserts in SoCal have freeze warnings for tonight…yes, freeze warnings…
They were like that when I found it. Drove by there yesterday and there were only three leave on the rock.
Beautiful images, Steven. Seemed like Fall took forever here in the Eastern Sierra, then it popped in about four days and was gone. You’ve really made me appreciate the beauty of Wisconsin. I may have to make a trek out there one of these days.
When you decided to come to WI you have a room waiting for ya
Great shots. Reminds me so much of where I grew up in Pennsylvania.
Seems like Fall didn’t last long anywhere. I met up with my brother in Sedona, AZ this past weekend to photograph fall color there. Found a few spots with color, but most of the area was trees with mostly brown and green on the same tree. Alot of leaves on the ground too.
I did get a good shot of some red and orange, just not leaves.
http://www.luminous-exposure.com/Personal/SedonaPano.jpg
Cool Pano Mike. I’ve never been to Sedona. I hear it’s pretty there.
Thanks. It is pretty cool there. My first visit a few years ago we didn’t really know where to go, ended up around the town of Sedona which really wasn’t my thing. High priced tourist shops and lots of traffic. This time we drove up Schebly Hill Road…which is quite a rough dirt road. Lots of rocks, requires high clearence. At the top near the vista, there’s dispersed camping. So if you don’t mind roughing it, it’s quite beautiful and quiet. Only saw about 3 cars after we picked the campsite. Rest of the night just quiet.
If I didn’t say it before, all beautiful shots. Hey how about a photo of a Wisconsin jack-o-lantern for Halloween?
I think they all blew away. It’s freakin windy outside.
what i want to know is, who’s the lucky person that gets to rake up all those leaves? ;^)
Mother Nature get those. I have a yard full of my own to pick up.