For three or four weeks every fall, our aspen forests in Colorado wear their fall colors before the leaves drop. Yesterday I made a trip down Shrine Pass. On a steep east-facing slope, these were the first aspen that are encountered. Most aspen trees that I have photographed in previous years were on relatively flat ground. At this location, the steep slope allows for an interesting composition.
Aspen Forest, Shrine Pass
Climbing up the slope, I made several images. The following image was made close to the edge of the aspen forest, adjacent to the pine forest. I like the way the backlit leaves against the pine forest.
Aspen, Backlit By Afternoon Sun
Most aspen trees have branches near their crowns. Lower down the branches break leaving behind triangular shaped scars. Here is one where some moss has settled on the scar.
Aspen Trunk Scar
Looking down Shrine Pass we can see the magnificent fall colors on the east facing slope.
Fall Colors At Shrine Pass
Earlier in the summer I made a similar image from this location — under rainy, overcast skies with green forests.
Boulder And Aspen, Shrine Pass
Looking towards the sun, the aspen trees light up with cheerful yellow and green leaves. I included the backlit foreground grasses to complement the trees.
Aspen And Grasses
I made my way down forest road 709, where it meets the creek. Here is the view back across the bridge over the creek.
Forest Road 709
The light on the aspen trees only lasted a few minutes longer before the slope fell into the shadows.