Ten Years In The Making

Beautiful Eagle Cliff Falls in Havana Glen cascades over the rocks and past some beautiful autumn colors. Havana Glen which is located in Montour Falls, New York is only a short distance from the more well known Watkins Glen, but equally as beautiful. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 16-35mm F2.8 L II
Beautiful Eagle Cliff Falls in Havana Glen cascades over the rocks and past some beautiful autumn colors. Havana Glen which is located in Montour Falls, New York is only a short distance from the more well known Watkins Glen, but equally as beautiful. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 16-35mm F2.8 L II
It’s been nearly ten years since I’ve been able to get back east to photograph fall color. It certainly was not from a lack of desire to do so, but sometimes life and schedules get in the way making what was once commonplace, rare.

So finally after nearly a decade and a less than stellar autumn color season here in Colorado, I was able to make the trek back east to New York to photograph the fall colors and visit with family. The visit was shorter than I would have liked, but still a very productive and fun one.

Autumn was in full swing throughout the Hudson Valley and Finger Lakes region while I was back photographing so the timing was just about perfect. For the most part most days were mild but overcast. Perfect weather in my opinion to shoot the colorful fall canopies under nicely diffused light.

Lake Nawahunta in Harriman State Park is a favorite spot of mine. Seeing vibrant reds such as these is a rare treat and something I don't see often out west. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS
Lake Nawahunta in Harriman State Park is a favorite spot of mine. Seeing vibrant reds such as these is a rare treat and something I don’t see often out west. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS

Since it’s be awhile since I had photographed fall back east, I was very much like a kid in a candy store. The vibrant reds, oranges and yellows all looked spectacular along the hillsides and streams I hiked explored and hiked along. Even in New York, autumn seems to slows the bustling pace allowing one to contemplate and enjoy the colorful surroundings.

There’s a different pace to fall in the east as opposed to fall out west. The colors in the east peak more slowly than out west. Barring a nor’easter or hurricane, leaves stay on the trees longer and fall more slowly. In the west the transition from fall to winter is much more pronounced. One day it can be sunny and seventy degrees and the next day there can be a foot of snow, bare tree’s welcoming winters arrival.

I spent most of my time photographing Harriman State Park in the Hudson Valley and the area around Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Like most expeditions there are plenty of places you want to photograph but run out of time to visit.I’ve got scouted out some new areas and have plenty of ideas for my next fall visit, I just hope it’s not ten years in the making.

Few places are more dramatic in fall then Watkins Glen. The numerous waterfalls, fall colors,and rocks covered with colorful autumn leaves make it feel as if there is a new image to be created every few feet. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS
Few places are more dramatic in fall then Watkins Glen. The numerous waterfalls, fall colors,and rocks covered with colorful autumn leaves make it feel as if there is a new image to be created every few feet. Technical Details: Canon EOS 5D Mark III, 24-105mm F4 IS