Photography And Half-Thoughts By Mitchell Hegman

...because some of it is pretty and some of it is not.

Sunday, September 25, 2022

The Understory

The Rocky Mountains are not the Adirondacks in terms of fall colors.  For one thing, most of the forests in the Rockies are comprised of evergreens.  But on a smaller scale, you will find lovely pockets of color amid the rocky peaks and steep inclines of the Rockies.

In a sense, the mountains here provide for two fall showings: one in the high country and one in the broad valleys below.  At present, the high elevations are beginning to render bright displays of color.  At lower elevations, only a hint of change can be seen here or there.

The displays of fall colors in high country are interesting in that the understory and bushes offer the first vivid colors while the tall evergreens stand alongside in constant sober pose.  Western larch (tamarack) trees will soon turn color and shed their needles, but they have not done so yet.

Yesterday, before driving home from the cabin, Desiree and I drove through the high mountains to see the colors.  At several locations, we walked out into the undergrowth and filled our smartphones with images.


 

The Understory in Morning Light



A Roadside Fern



Looking Back



Awash With Color



Desiree Amid Berry Bushes

Mitchell Hegman

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