A Day of Thanks

Sierra Autumn (10/22/2012) Nicholas Barnhart

On Thanksgiving Day, we give thanks to the over 50 color spotters and photographers who provided reports on California’s Fall Color this autumn.

The following individuals contributed reports and photographs to this blog this year: Rob Bohning, Nicholas Barnhart, Kimberly Kofala, Portia Soderberg, K Ashwini, Richard McCutcheon, Heather Heinz, Diana Wroblewski, Krisdina Karady, Jared Smith, Jon Klusmire, Alicia Vennos, Amanda Sweeny, Steve Wolfe, Charlie Noback, Scott McGuire, Barbara Steinberg, Dennis Vance, Kathy Levine, Helen Gunter, Jyoti Kumar Suravarjula, Jeff Luke Titcomb, Mike Nellor, Sue Fischer, Larry Trettin, Debbie Trettin, Brittini McGuire, Jenny Zink, Carolyn Webb, Laurie Baker, Sandy Steinman, Alison Maloney, Karen Haner, Tim Fesko, Dustin Osborne, Dan McKernan, Todd Stepien, Steve Caloca, Karen Moritz, Charley Arrowsmith, Michael Beatley, Joe Willis, Grace Smith, Amy King, Nicole Coburn, Michael Frye, Frank McDonough, Jeff Simpson, Will Klair, Carrie Klair, Grant Roden, Joe Pollini, Rachel Anderson, Mel Seator,  Jyoti Kumar Salvady, Charissa Gilmer and Rob McSkimming.

Without doubt, many others contributed reports, as well.  And, for those who I overlooked or did not know, please know that I am indebted to each of you for your efforts, talents, attentiveness and generosity in providing others reports on what you witnessed.  This list is incomplete without including my wife, Joan, who has humored my recording color percentages, species and elevations as we would travel hither and yon, and – more importantly – point out particularly beautiful color on our travels across California.  Every person should have so dear and understanding a friend, companion and lover.

Special thanks are also expressed to the many reporters and media who carried our reports and gave attention to what we have shown about California’s fall color.  And, of course to the many tens of thousands of people who have followed and contributed to this site, and our Facebook and Twitter pages.  You are, after all, the reason we do this.

Our first “fall color report” was published on September 12 and our first peak was reported on September 16, a week before the Autumnal Equinox.  Fall color is often reported in California right up to the Winter Equinox and beyond.  We consider that to be proof of our claim that California truly has the longest and most varied season of autumn color in North America.  Indeed, California quite possibly holds the world record.  As one of the few Mediterranean climate regions on Earth, California is able to grow a variety of colorful foliage that provides a spectacle unmatched anywhere.  That, combined with California’s varied terrain and elevations makes our fall color the most varied and long-lasting for leaf peepers, photographers and nature lovers.

Doubting Thomases need only click through any year on the archive, at left, to see the progression of color across The Golden State.  The change of color this past season was particularly magnificent.  It began earlier than in previous years and was long-lasting.  As of today, the show is still progressing, with beautiful color to be seen in the state’s urban forests (San Francisco, the San Francisco Peninsula, South Bay and East Bay, its vineyards, the Gold Country, Central Coast and Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties).  And, it hasn’t ended; the show will continue well into December.

California Fall Color will continue to report color, as it receives reports.  Though, as of today we stop sending weekly updates and photographs to California meteorologists, travel and outdoor writers, until next autumn.

75 – 100% – California – In my heart, it is always peaking.