Probably my biggest fault as a photographer is an inability to recognize small-scale photo opportunities. I think I just don’t pay enough attention sometimes. Thankfully that wasn’t entirely the case recently when viewing the golden aspen in #Colorado’s high country recently.

Most of the time I was indeed focused (pun intended) on the show at the top of the trees above me but for whatever reason, at one point a very bright, beautiful scene below captured my attention. A few bright yellow leaves had fallen at the junction of some tree roots that were above the surface and when laying on the ground on their level, I was able to truly appreciate the leaves’ fine detail.

Throw in the greens and browns of the forest floor surrounding the leaves and these are my favorite pics of the day.

Colorado’s high country is ablaze in color right now as the fall foliage continues to arrive. Temperatures this weekend were very mild for this time of year which made it quite easy to get out early and take in the sights. This image was taken this morning in the Horseshoe Park area of Rocky Mountain National Park.

In Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, the colors are starting to change above about 9,000 feet.  I was unable to find any large expanses of yellow but did find some nice, isolated batches.  I kind of like shots like this with the contrasting brilliant yellow of an Aspen tree and the deep blue skies of high altitude.

A canopy of golden leaves. This tree is resplendent in gold and has a very, very busy internal structure. Found in Rocky Mountain National Park this past weekend, I’m not sure what kind it is. Possibly an aspen but they usually aren’t so ‘busy’ and don’t normally have a ‘barky’ base. Any hints would be appreciated.

It was a typically gorgeous Colorado day this past Saturday and perfect for photography, wildlife viewing and fall foliage. With clear, blue skies above, Hallett Peak (left), elevation 12,720 ft, and Flattop Mountain (right), 12,324′, looked as rugged as ever. Below timberline on their slopes and on those of nearby mountains the aspen were radiant in fall gold.

The late afternoon sun was peering through this grove of aspen trees near Estes Park, Colorado yesterday. The changing of colors is a bit early this year and this was likely the last, good weekend up in the mountains. Some spots were already bare while others were nearing the end.

The change of colors is in full swing in Colorado’s high country right now and the landscape is looking amazing. The aspen are golden and in some places shades of orange and red. This image was taken yesterday afternoon on Guanella Pass looking to the east back toward Georgetown.

I decided I didn’t want to wait till this weekend to see the fall colors so I headed for the high country right after work today. Guanella Pass in Colorado was absolutely stunning and awash in yellows and oranges.

Not much aspen where I was at in Pike National Forest but the scrub oak was golden at sunrise yesterday.