, ,

Giving Thanks and Looking Back at 2022

On this Thanksgiving Day, CaliforniaFallColor.com is thankful to the 75 color spotters who contributed reports, photographs and videos in 2022.

They include (from first leaf): Philip Reedy, Hannah Meisner-Bogdahn, Samantha Deleo, Jeff Simpson, Daniel Stas, Alena Nicholas, Betsy Forsyth, Patrick Griley, Dakota Snider, Gary Young, Angie Plaisted, Linda Hennessy, Michelle Petit, John Pan, Parchers Resort, Michael Beatley, Jeff Luke Titcomb, Jim Van Matre, Trent Vierra, Sam Xi, Shanda Ochs, Amanda Carlson, Ken Robesky, Marianne Berttell Vaughn, Shawn Reeder, Soyojng Kim, Sharon Jiang, Legarlin Li, Bill McFall, Donna Mercer, Tim Zalaha, Bethany Anderson, Peter Robbins, Clayton Peoples, Gary Skipper II, Vishal Mishra, Curtis Kautzer, Steve Arita, Mark Hoshovsky, Mark Harding, Jeffrey Lu, Max Comer, Lucas Yan, James Wei, Dave Pabinquet, Ryan Boyd, Lyle Gordon, Julie Kirby, Wolfie, Grant Ly, Noah Sondgroth, Curtis Kautzer, Mark Hanning Lee, Bruce Wendler, David Sharp, John Natelli, Sandy Steinman, Frank McDonough, Salil Bhatt, Walt Gabler, Risa Wyatt, Michelle Pontoni, Kathy Jonokuchi, Bonnie Hulkower, Frank Dariano, Parrish Todd, Ellie Wilson, Steve “Spike” Spiker, Gianna Crest, Claudia Cram, Danielle Ormsby-Toombs, Lara Kaylor and Ron Tyler, who produced the above video.

If, somehow, we missed you, please know it wasn’t intentional. We are truly indebted to every contributor.

Special thanks are expressed to Inyo County Tourism, Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Mono County Tourism, Mammoth Lakes Tourism and Choose Redding for underwriting California Fall Color, and to the many reporters and media who carried our reports and gave attention to what we have shown about California’s fall color.

Of course, this list is not complete without mentioning Joan, my bride of 52 years. She has pulled the car to the shoulder so that I could jump out to photograph particularly beautiful locations; humored my recording of color percentages, species and elevations; pointed out spectacular color; and tolerated my exuberance in showing her countless stunning photographs taken by our contributors.

Our deepest thanks go to the more than 70,000 readers who on over one hundred and twenty thousand occasions opened, read, followed, reacted to and commented here and on our social media pages. You are, after all, the reason we do this.

The photographs selected for this year’s video represent: what happened, the diversity of fall color across the state, and some of the finest photography of 2022. 

If you would like your photographs considered for inclusion in next autumn’s video, we recommend that you submit “horizontal,” high resolution (300 dpi), not-watermarked photographs, within a week of having captured them. Pictures taken in places not often photographed have an advantage in getting selected, as competition is stiffest among pictures taken at popularly photographed destinations.

Autumn doesn’t end today. It continues for nearly a month longer. We’ll continue to post photos and reports, as received. Though today, we dial back reports and will post them less frequently. We’ve also stopped sending weekly updates to meteorologists, travel and outdoor writers.

Finally, this is my last autumn editing CaliforniaFallColor.com. The site will continue, but will be edited and published by someone else. You may see my photographs and comments occasionally as a contributor, but it’s finally time for this old travel editor to do a bit of traveling and enjoy retirement.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and plan an Orange Friday of fall color spotting, tomorrow. 

  • California – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – In our hearts, California is always at its best.

CaliforniaFallColor.com will see you next autumn, dude.

,

Looking Back at Autumns Past

On Thanksgiving Day, California Fall Color posts its message of thanks and video review of autumn 2022. It will be the eleventh annual “California Fall Color Looks Back” video.

Although CaliforniaFallColor.com went live in 2009, it wasn’t until 2012 that our first video review was posted. In advance of seeing “California Fall Color Looks Back at 2022,” here are videos from autumns past.

Ron Tyler created each video. Ron is head of the Tyler Marketing Group, an El Dorado Hills-based marketing communications consultancy with expertise in social media, product marketing and video. Previous videos were judged among the state’s best outdoor videos by the Outdoor Writers Association of California.

Each of the photographs selected for these videos is representative of what happened that autumn, the extent and diversity of fall color seen across the state, and some of the finest photographs taken that year.

1 in 7.5 Million

Lowell Thomas

There are 30 million travel blogs on the internet. This year, four of them were awarded a Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Award. CaliforniaFallColor.com was one of the four.

The Lowell Thomas Awards are the highest honors in travel writing. They are presented annually by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation which opens the competition to travel journalists from around the world.

Works in more than two dozen categories, including print, digital, audio, video and photography are honored.

Entries are judged by an accredited U.S. university,  and winners are selected from among hundreds of submissions and announced at SATW’s annual  convention, held this past month in Bogota, Columbia.

The awards are named for Lowell Thomas, an acclaimed journalist, prolific author, and modern-day world explorer who achieved numerous “firsts” during five decades in travel journalism. Thomas is primarily known as a broadcast journalist, but his career touched nearly all disciplines. His dedicated spirit of adventure and discovery epitomizes that of the inquiring travel journalist.

Recognition of CaliforniaFallColor.com as one of the world’s best travel blogs is an honor shared by all who contribute reports and photographs to this website. To all those who have helped make CaliforniaFallColor.com exceptional, thank you.

,

A Fortnight From Fall

NBC LA posted that we’re just a “fortnight from fall,” their “velvety way” of reminding readers of their website that summer has entered its final two weeks.

Considering that scorching temperatures have  roasted the Golden State this past week, it was refreshing to see the station remind its viewers that “cooler temperatures, crisp mornings and evenings, and all those colorful leaves,” are just ahead.

In doing so, they gave a nod to CaliforniaFallColor.com, describing the “plummy hues,” “eye-popping shows” that fill “chromatic canyons” reported each autumn within this blog.

It’s still a bit early to exhort readers to “Go Now!,” though we’ll do so by encouraging our users to read what NBC LA wrote about this site. Their kindness is appreciated.

You’ll find their post at: https://www.nbclosangeles.com/worth-the-trip/leaf-peepers-the-california-fall-color-blog-is-ready-for-autumn/2980178/

,

Fall Color Ethics

Hwy 88, Hope Valley (10/10/19) John Poimiroo
  • The owner of what he described as the “iconic Hope Valley cabin” wrote to us recently complaining of people who “create a general nuisance, trespass all the way to my front door, leave trash, fly drones to my front door and have caused numerous car accidents.”

He asked that we cease publishing any photographs or reports about fall color surrounding his cabin, which sits near state highway 88 in the Hope Valley. We sympathize with his situation, though will continue to report on fall color seen from public roads and lands.

We did pledge, however, to reiterate these ethical standards to which all who appreciate fall color should adhere.

Leave No Trace – There are seven principles to this concept. We’ve adapted them to fit fall color viewing and photography. They include:

  •  Plan Ahead – by planning, you reduce the chance you might harm the environment you visit; bring the proper equipment to capture the scene sustainably;
  • Travel on Durable Surfaces – walk on established trails; use established roads; be cautious not to create new ones or damage the environment;
  • Dispose of Waste Properly – carry a litter bag and put all trash into it and it into a trash container; recycle recyclables;
  • Leave What You Find – every leaf, branch, stone has a purpose; treasure them by leaving them behind; do not prune foliage for a better picture;
  •  Minimize Campfire Impacts – Consider fire conditions before starting a fire, only start one when permitted, use only sustainable fuels, use existing fire rings, mind your fire, never leave it smoldering, put it out completely with water and dispose of ashes properly.
  • Respect Wildlife – keep your distance; never approach closer than they are comfortable; do not feed or pick up wildlife; travel quietly (except if necessary to warn animals); 
  • Be Considerate – do not trespass; respect private property; fly drones only where permitted, never over private property; should a drone crash on private property do not retrieve it without permission of the land owner;

To these seven principles, we add these ethical standards of nature and wildlife photography:

  • Limit post processing to: cropping, color and white balance correction, and adjusting contrast, highlights, shadows, vibrance, sharpening and sizing;
  • Do not stage photographs;
  • Do not create composite images;
  • Shoot what exists in reality, as you envision it;
  • Employ caution when using filters; acceptable are polarizing, split neutral density, star and black and white filters (red, orange, yellow and green) when used appropriately, but warming, cooling, sunset and rainbow filters insert unnatural elements;
  • Express your vision, not someone else’s.

For Sale

North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon (9/30/16) Elliot McGucken

This will be the last autumn that I edit CaliforniaFallColor.com. It’s time for me to finally retire.

There are too many other things I need or would like to do during autumn, and when I attempt them, the site or my sanity suffers.

So, I’ve decided to sell the site to someone who shares my passion for words, images and autumn. I’m willing to ride shotgun this autumn, to guide whoever takes over the reins and show how I’ve  steered the site.

Should I not get a qualified buyer, I will not abandon CaliforniaFallColor.com until the last leaf of 2022 has fallen. Thereafter, it will go dark.

If you’ve got the passion to post great imagery and words, write to me. Let’s talk.

editor@californiafallcolor.com

,

And The Winner Is …

Finalists in California Fall Color’s first video contest (in no particular order) include:

California Autumn - Philip Reedy

Sierra Gold - Nao Tharp, Sky Rock Media

Laguna Mountain Fall Colors - Robert J Olsson

Autumn Leaves - Gene Miller

Exploring Oak Glen - Yuni & Cat, Wilderness Wanderers

Clearing Autumn Storm - Elliot McGucken

Before continuing to read and learn who was selected to win California Fall Color’s first video contest, we hope you’ll view each of the above videos first, as they each deserve praise in their own right.

Following announcement of the winner is a review of what we found exceptional with each entry. In addition to being able to claim bragging rights, the winner will be sent a California Fall Color hat.

And the winner is ...

Sierra Gold - Nao Tharp

Judges' Comments ...

  • California Autumn – Philip Reedy opens his video with Tim Janus’ emotional Come Home to Me and a quotation from Anne of Green Gables to express sentiment through a mix of images showing people in relation to nature, the landscape, still life and motion, through the Northern Sierra and Cascades.
  • Sierra Gold – Nao Tharp, Sky Rock Media employs spectacular time lapse, dolly and aerial video, accompanied by an original, haunting melody and masterful editing to present a powerful and visually inspiring portrayal of autumn in the Eastern Sierra.
  • Laguna Mountain Fall Colors – Robert J Olsson takes us on a journey through the Laguna Mountains blending pans and zooms of still and live video to show the raw age and beauty of autumn in San Diego County.
  • Autumn Leaves – Gene Miller brings to life Nat King Cole’s classic song Autumn Leaves, while traveling through wine country with its red and gold vineyards and presenting still life portraits of Yosemite Valley, inviting their exploration.
  • Exploring Oak Glen – Yuni & Cat have produced a classic travelog introducing the viewer to Oak Glen and its many delightful stops, through first-hand and first-rate interviews and commentary, balanced with colorful imagery and lots of solid information. 
  • Clearing Autumn Storm – Elliot McGucken videoed a clearing autumn storm while he photographed it. The time-lapse result – set to Claude Debussy’s Clair de Lune – provides an instructive lesson of how to wait for and capture the moment.
, ,

Giving Thanks and Looking Back at 2021

 

On this Thanksgiving Day, CaliforniaFallColor.com is thankful to the 95 color spotters who contributed reports, photographs and videos in 2021.

They include (from first leaf): Philip Reedy, Jeff Simpson, Jeff Luke Titcomb, Clayton Peoples, Gary Young, Michael Beatley, Michelle Pontoni, Julie Kirby, Steve Arita, Vishal Mishra, Bruce Wendler, Kathy Jonokuchi, Jen Miyara, Mark Harding, Gabriel Leete, Sarah Wollock, Jim Van Matre, Soyoung Kim, Robert Kermen, John Ehrenfeld, Woody Elliott, Angie Plaisted, Don Vilfer, Mark Hanning-Lee, Alicia Vennos, Lucas Yan, Liz Grans, Jeff Hemming, Michael Tolchard, Elliot McGucken, Mike Caffey, Ryan Boyd, Emo Gyetvai, Austin Grove, James Haase, Walt Gabler, Jan Arendtsz, Jeremy Johnson, Morgan Terrell, Anusha Ravioo, Pierre Redmond, Frank McDonough, Bill McFall, David Sharp, Bob Simms, Gabby Tobar Balcunas, Gary Skipper II, Anson Davalos, Jason Branz, Max Forster, Liliana Beatley, Shanda Ochs, Parrish Todd, Jeri Rangel, Peter Robbins, Bin Lin, Adarsh Dattani, Lyle Gordon, Anish Sidhan, Gene Miller, Jason Francisco, Travel Crazy Katie, Mariana Dillingham, Wilderness Amani, Sweet Me Life, M&J, Golden Island Walks, Jobille Tuts, Bella’s Grandma, Nao Tharp (Sky Rock Media), Julia Jia Rao, Life of Fernandos, Farmer Omni, Natural Priyanka Vlogs, Bob Bong Travels, Sonoma Shorts, Jon Lenvik, Our & My Memories, SmithsGold, The Mads of San Diego, Biprajt Dutt, NBCLA, Strangers Abroad, Eastern Sierra Now, Kiran Kumar, Pete A, Robert Olsson, Hieu Nguyen, Modern Mangai, Happenin, Omni Nova, Rahi’s Wall, Wilderness Wanderers, Peter Mikuljan, Life after Halftime and Ron Tyler, who produced the above video. If, somehow, we missed you, please know it wasn’t intentional. We are truly indebted to every contributor.

Special thanks are expressed to Inyo County Tourism, Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Mono County Tourism and Mammoth Lakes Tourism for underwriting California Fall Color, and to the many reporters and media who carried our reports and gave attention to what we have shown about California’s fall color.

Of course, this list is not complete without mentioning Joan, my bride of 51 years. She has pulled the car to the shoulder so that I could jump out to photograph particularly beautiful locations; humored my recording of color percentages, species and elevations; pointed out spectacular color; and tolerated my exuberance in showing her countless stunning photographs taken by our contributors.

Our deepest thanks go to our readers who on over one hundred thousand occasions opened, read, followed, reacted to and commented here and on our social media pages. You are, after all, the reason we do this.

Above is our video impression of autumn across California in 2021. Fall began hesitantly, with the Dixie and Caldor fires burning huge areas of fall color in the Northern and Western Sierra. The fires eventually receded and after skies were clear of haze luster returned to the forests. A drought delayed the salmon run, then a bomb cyclone deluged the mountains reinvigorating streams and waterfalls. The dusting of snow from that event provided dramatic contrast just as leaves were at peak. Not as many locations were photographed this year – perhaps because of forest closures and lingering smoke. Though those that were submitted were beautiful.

The photographs selected for this year’s video represent: what happened (including a couple that show the impact of fires), the diversity of fall color across the state, and some of the finest photography of 2021. This was a notable year for Yosemite Valley, as evidenced by the many exceptional photographs taken there this autumn. Gorgeous color was also seen in the Eastern Sierra.

If you would like your photographs considered for inclusion in next autumn’s video, we recommend that you submit “horizontal,” high resolution (300dpi), not-watermarked photographs, within a week of having captured them. Pictures taken in places not often photographed have an advantage in getting selected, as competition is stiffest among pictures taken at popularly photographed destinations.

Autumn doesn’t end today. It continues for nearly a month longer. We’ll continue to post photos and reports, as received. Though today, we dial back reports and will post them less frequently. We’ve also stopped sending  weekly updates to meteorologists, travel and outdoor writers.

So, enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and plan an Orange Friday of fall color spotting, tomorrow.

See you next autumn, dude.

California – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – In our hearts, California is always peaking.

,

Looking Back at Autumns Past

On Thanksgiving Day, California Fall Color posts its message of thanks and video review of autumn 2021. It will be the tenth annual “California Fall Color Looks Back” video. Although CaliforniaFallColor.com went live in 2009, it wasn’t until 2012 that our first video review was posted. In advance of seeing “California Fall Color Looks Back at 2021,” here are videos fom years past.

Ron Tyler created each video. Ron is head of the Tyler Marketing Group, an El Dorado Hills-based marketing communications consultancy with expertise in social media, product marketing and video. Previous videos were judged among the state’s best outdoor videos by the Outdoor Writers Association of California.

Each of the photographs selected for these videos is representative of what happened that autumn, the extent and diversity of fall color seen across the state, and some of the finest photographs taken that year.

,

Pass The Envelope, Please …

California Fall Color went looking for videos of California’s autumn color on YouTube. You were busy. So far, here are the entries in our first video contest, the winner to be announced on Dec. 1. Email YouTube links, not later than Nov. 30, to: editor@californiafallcolor.com. Videos that are under three minutes long or the length of one song have the best chance of winning.