Happy New Year!
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Frank McDonough’s photograph of tiles at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden reminds us of the festive color to explode on New Year Eve and makes us look forward to 2018 and the end of 2017.
This past year was filled with tragedy for many. Wildfires, hurricanes, floods and heartache delivered by the worst side of humanity made it so.
Even on the fall color front, the show was disappointing, but not so the photographs taken by those tracking fall color across California.
Frank’s images of everlasting gingko biloba at the LA County Arboretum provide hope for a new year of everlasting color, joy and good things.
Happy New Year.
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Garden – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Gingko, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Bamboo, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko, LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
LA County Arboretum (12/26/17) Frank McDonough
To the north near Durham, Ferruginous hawks are in search of squirrels out gathering nuts among the orchards and the last spots of fall color (berries still clinging to Dogwood branches) are seen in these images captured by Robert Kermen.
Ferruginous Hawk, Durham (12/29/17) Robert Kermen
Gray Squirrel, Durham (12/29/17) Robert Kermen
Dogwood, Durham (12/29/17) Robert Kermen
Central Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Oakland color spotter Darrell Sano, who holds the distinction of being the first and last to post on this site in 2017, sent these closing shots of peak color seen in at Mountain View Cemetery in the Oakland Hills.
Darrell writes that, “The balmy weather we’ve been experiencing around the bay area led to many people enjoying the afternoon scenery–walking, jogging, groups of people having conversations, dogs happily being walked, and of course families paying respects to loved ones. It’s an extremely serene and introspective place. Walking the hills always makes me think about time, and the passage of it. No better appropriate place to be in the last weekend of the year. And the colors persist into 2018!”
Oakland – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland (12/29/17) Darrell Sano
Christmas Quail
California Quail (12/23/17) Robert Kermen
California’s most beloved bird is the California quail, Callipepla californica.
Seen above, a male California Valley Quail stands watchful guard, protecting his covey (family) of several chicks and his lady.
Male quail will scout ahead of their broods, scurrying along the ground and calling to them with loud pips to encourage them to follow or warn them to take cover until the coast is clear. Ever social, quail will greet each other with their distinctive call, “Chee-ca-go.”
California toyon (12/26/17) John Poimiroo
California toyon berries are a favorite food source for California quail. In December, toyon are laden with bright red berries, giving the shrubs the nicknames: Christmas berry and California holly. Toyon is what gave Hollywood its name.
Toyon is common among coastal sage scrub plants, though it also grows in the Sierra foothills. Easy to grow, Toyon does well in partial shade and is drought-tolerant.
As urban areas have expanded, the forage area for California quail has diminished. Planting toyon is a good way to provide additional native sustenance for these beautiful birds.
While expansion of urban areas has not helped California quail, it has caused Anna’s hummingbirds to proliferate.
Annas humingbird (12/23/17) Robert Kermen
As late as the early 1900s, Anna’s hummingbirds were only found in Baja and Southern California. However, the planting of exotic ornamental plants in gardens expanded the Anna’s hummingbird’s range throughout California, Cornell University reports.
This week, color spotter Robert Kermen found California quail and Anna’s hummingbirds adding Christmas color to field and garden.
Holiday Herbage
Aloes and Sticks on Fire, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Southern California color spotter Frank McDonough sends this postcard of colorful holiday herbage from the LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens in Arcadia where fall color (now winter color, I suppose) is lighting up the season.
Though succulents are not fall color, their forms make for fascinating photographs.
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Arcadia – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Wild California grape, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Nandina and Crepe myrtle, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Aloe, S. African Section, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Chinese pistache, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Crepe myrtle’s last color, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Nuxia tree, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
California sycamore, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Old soul aloe, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Collumner euphorbia, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Aeonium, Canary Island Section, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Orchids, Tropical greenhouse walk, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/23/17) Frank McDonough
Three Season Peak
Hahamonga Watershed Park, Pasadena (12/21/17) Naresh Satyan
It’s now official. California’s fall color has now appeared in three seasons in 2017: summer, autumn and winter.
Color spotter Naresh Satyan did not let the first day of winter deter him from sending this shot of peak color seen this morning among willows in Pasadena’s Hahamongna Watershed Park in Pasadena, where river bed is still dressed in various stages of fall, er, um, well winter color.
He reports, “Unfortunately wind has been stripping leaves fairly quickly, but it still looks like Fall down here!”
Pasadena – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Awesome Aloe
Tree and multi-stem Aloes, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Aloe is known to many as the miracle lotion found in hand and body creams to soften and repair skin, but to horticulturists, its a genus of flowering succulent that blossoms at the end of autumn.
There are 500 species of aloe. True aloe (Aloe vera) is the most well-known of them, though there’s also: French, bitter, flat-flowered, tilt-headed, soap and Zimbabwe among the many types of tree and brushy aloes. The name of the last of these gives you an idea from where they originated… from Africa to Greece along the Mediterranean Sea.
Reporting from the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Frank McDonough says the aloe there are primed to peak during Christmas week, though they’re already colorful (the Arboretum will be closed on Christmas Day).
Aloe blooms are yellow, orange, pink and red with their large reservoir-like leaves storing water captured in winter for drier summer months.
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/16/17) Diana McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/16/17) Diana McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/16/17) Diana McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/16/17) Diana McDonough
Queen Anne Cottage, LA County Arboretum (12/16/17) Diana McDonough
Elsewhere at the LA County Arboretum, colored lights provided holiday cheer with trees changing color this past Saturday evening. Such special events for nighttime photography are noted on the arboretum’s calendar. Several gardens hold similar events during the holidays, including Descanso Gardens.
A curtain of gingko leaves, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba persist in their long-lasting fall display at the LA County Arboretum with curtains of their bright yellow leaves heavily draped from branches. Elsewhere, liquidambar and pomegranates are still carrying color right to the last day of autumn (Dec. 20).
LA County Arboretum and Botanic Gardens – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Snowball viburnum, backgrounded by showy gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Pomegranate at entrance, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Chinese pistache, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Gingkos and steles, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Liquidambar attracting attention, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko and Liquidambar, Crescent Garden, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
A curtain of gingko leaves, LA County Arboretum (12/19/17) Frank McDonough
Fire in the Sky
Wildfire smoke at dusk, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
A wildfire sunset, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
When smoke from wildfires colors the western horizon, as is happening – tragically – in Ventura County, sunsets intensify and glow in ways both foreboding and inspiring.
Yesterday, color spotter Frank McDonough lingered ’til after dusk at the LA County Arboretum in Arcadia to capture these impressions of such fire in the sky.
During daytime, the smoke from Southern California’s wildfires is hardly noticeable, as California’s bluer than blue sky is now only lightly brushed with haze. At the Arboretum, autumn sunlight warms scenes of people strolling through the gardens. Fall color continues at the LA County Arboretum, which holds title as one of California’s last locations to see peaking fall color.
LA County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
Path near Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
Kallam Garden, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
Tropical Forest entrance, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
Amaranthus, Crescent Garden, Bauer Lawn, LA County Arboretum (12/15/17) Frank McDonough
LA County Fall Color Survives
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Fall color continues to peak at points throughout Los Angeles County, despite smoke and fire that has ravaged Southern California’s coastal mountains.
Frank McDonough reminds us of the beauty and blue skies being seen in Arcadia at the LA County Arboretum and Gardens, noting that while many trees are now past peak, others are still short of peak.
LA County – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Nandina domestica, red maple; LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Trichocereus cactus, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Gingko biloba, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Acacia, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Red oak, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Chinese tallow, Siberian elm, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Crepe myrtle, LA County Arboretum, Arcadia (12/9/17) Frank McDonough
Autumn’s End
First snow, last leaves (12/9/17) Robert Kermen
Tundra Swans, Agua Fria Rd., Richvale (12/9/17) Robert Kermen
Sandhill Cranes, Agua Fria Rd., Richvale (12/9/17) Robert Kermen
When does autumn end? When snow blankets fallen leaves, as seen in Robert Kermen’s photograph of dry leaves near the Bear River (Hwy 20), or when the last migratory bird wings further south or begins flying north?
As long as current fall color photographs are posted here, it will not end, at least for CaliforniaFallColor.com readers.
In the East Bay, Sandy Steinman looked out a window across South Berkeley to capture a “very California fall color” scene with his iPhone. Spindly-tall palms were leaning toward the bay amidst spots of bright autumn color. He reports “quite a few street trees” are still carrying color.
Sacramento Valley – Past Peak – You Missed It.
San Francisco Bay Area – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
Merlin falcon, Agua Fria Rd., Richvale (12/9/17) Robert Kermen
Black Phoebe, Durham (12/9/17) Robert Kermen
South Berkeley (12/5/17) Sandy Steinman
Dreary Day, Yet Still Colorful
Gingko biloba, Esplande, Chico (12/2/17) Robert Kermen
Crowned sparrow, Esplanade, Chico (11/2/17) Robert Kermen
Robert Kermen spent a “dreary day” in Chico on Saturday, though photographs he took along the Esplanade show otherwise. That’s because though overcast looms, color is intensified on dreary days.
And, with leaves off many of the branches, songbirds are easier to photograph as they search for food and sing about the weather.
Sonoma Hangin’ In There
Sunrise near Sebastopol, CA-116 (12/1/17) David Laurence
The beauty of autumn continues until it finally flames out, as seen in these images send by David Laurence.
Alexander Valley, Healdsburg (11/29/17) David Laurence
West of Sebastopol along CA-116, liquidambar are set ablaze by an autumn sunrise. While, midday in the Alexander Valley, north of Healdsburg, northern Sonoma County’s hillsides are scored with peaking vines.
Sonoma County – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.