Fall Color Update

I can't remember the last time I posted any work here, but it's been awhile. I've had several personal challenges to deal with, but am thrilled to be back shooting again.

Seems like a good time to post a thread on fall color in the region, so here's one to start things off. I was out last weekend and saw a good bit of color in the understory in the Buffalo River area, but the color was spotty. This weekend should be better.

I'm thinking about a trip into the Current/ Jacks Fork/ Eleven Point River areas of Missouri later this month, and thought I'd see if any of you might be interested in a small gathering.

Thanks for the update, Bill and glad to see you back posting. I would be interested in a trip to the Missouri area. Any thoughts on a time?

Bill, I personally hope your personal challenges were met and defeated.
And glad to see some photos!!!
Neat oblique angles of light contrasting with the vertical of the trees.
Star-burst effect of the sun is very eye catching.
I'm further north in Kansas and the trees are turning even thought we've not had a frost.
Look forward to more of your photos.
Kindest regards,
the fisch

Hey Bill,
I took the liberty of copying this photo [probably in trouble] and reducing the brightness by about 50 on Capture NX2.
Try it and see what you think. I think it really "pops"...
If you agree I would like to see your re-post.
Deleting your photo even as I type.
the fisch

Bill - Happy to see you posting again. Like you, I've been absent for some time. I'm sure our challenges have been different - but all the same , they are very time consuming. I like the shot with the shafts of light and what looks like dust showing off the shafts. We have been verrrrry dry in central MO and the leaves are changing in the heat. Some with color and others just turning brown and falling off. Our pond is down over 3 ft with the dry spell. I'm not able to attend a gathering at this time - but it sounds like a fun idea. I really enjoyed the times we got together in the past.

Great shot. Looks like a somewhat early start to fall. We are starting to see some yellowing in the trees in Texas , although it is from lack of rain as fall colors are about a month early.

Have fun if yall meet up.

Just got back from a 400 mile excursion to Missouri - went as far as Eminence. I got the feeling that there has been more rain there during the summer since the foliage seemed to be in better condition than on the Arkansas side of the Ozarks. There is some incredible color in the understory, along with some beautiful grasses. The sumac, sassafras, hickory, gum, dogwood, and smoke trees are starting to peak I would say. The hillsides still look pretty green from a distance though, so probably a couple more weeks for them. Maples are just starting and the oaks are mostly green. The only problem from a photographer's viewpoint is the cloudless weather that appears to be in the forecast for awhile. As always, I think there will be some good opportunities at sunrise and sunset, but the rest of the day may be a bust, except for scouting. I wasn't able to see much river, so scouting those areas may be a good idea. It's a long drive over there, but I think if I got two or three keepers, I would be a happy camper. This coming weekend looks pretty good for me right now.

Thanks for the kind words guys. Larry - I have never installed NX2 so I can't make the adjustment you suggested. Feel free to post whatever you got. I'm always open for suggestions, but liked this version best because of the detail in the tree trunks, and I just seem to like things lighter and brighter now.

Oh yeah, I meant to post a shot of a group of smoke trees a little after sunrise that were peaking...some of the most beautiful colors I've ever seen. This was taken from about a quarter mile away through a 400mm lens since I didn't have time to hike to the spot before the light got too harsh. Dang it!

I dropped the 'brightness' to the mid-40's on NX2. This is probably the same as "luminance" on other programs.
Tweaked the contrast on the lower right.
I just like the sun's rays on this. Ah, eye of the beholder...
the fisch

Hi Bill, thanks for the invite but I won't be able to join you this fall. Too much on my plate for another road trip. Hope you all work things out and catch some great fall colors.

Great to see you posting again Bill and keeping the love of nature and photography going strong. Beautiful images as always.