The Mountain in autumn...

[regnaD kciN]

As I've mentioned before, out here on the western side of the Cascades, we have "bottom-up" fall color. Since the vast majority of the trees are evergreens, we don't get the yellow, orange, and red leaves you find over the mountains on the eastern side. Instead, it's the ground-cover -- huckleberry, vine maples, and assorted shrubs -- that change color, providing a bright carpet under the unchanging green of the pines and firs.

Since, for reasons probably related to the El Niño winter last year, this has been a relatively poor autumn for foliage throughout the northwest (the PNW Nature Photographers' "Fall Color Outing" was canceled this year due to, and I quote, "no fall color" ;-) ), my only choice was to forgo the east Cascades aspens and cottonwoods in favor of western ground-cover. Since, this year, I hadn't yet been to Paradise (however many times I'd been to me), it was time to drive up to Rainier and check out autumn on "The Mountain." Fortunately, the poor foliage conditions for trees didn't apply to the shrubs there...










Myrtle Falls




But, as spectacular as the front-lit views of The Mountain were, what really became special was the hike back down, with the backlight turning the bushes into a riot of brilliant color. Although there was no photogenic mountain background, and a constant struggle finding angles that wouldn't be ruined by lens flare, I think these give some idea what the experience was like.

[ManiacJoe]

1. Love the colors!

It is me, or do the mountain shots look like some of the red is reflecting up onto the mountain as if you have an extra filter on the lens?

[regnaD kciN]

2. There is a pinkish tint to a lot of the rock on Rainier...

It's normally not that visible, since the mountain is covered in snow much of the year, but it becomes apparent in late summer and into the autumn.

[ManiacJoe]

6. Good to know.

One of these days I will wander out of the city and get some better pics of The Mountain for myself.

[handmade34]

3. hold those colors for me please

I will be coming that way March 22. Lovely pictures

[regnaD kciN]

4. In late March...

...virtually everything you see here will be under ten feet of snow or more. The Paradise area of Rainier generally doesn't get completely snow-free until mid-July. However, if you get here at the end of March, I would recommend driving up to Skagit -- the daffodil fields should be in full bloom, and the tulips should be out in a couple of weeks or so. Late March is really the beginning of "photography season" in Washington state.

[handmade34]

5. thanks for the tip

my work puts me south in the summer and north in the winter, but once in awhile I hit the jackpot!

[Sheepshank]

7. Oh my gosh...those vivd colors are beautiful!!!! n/t

[Mira]

8. Our Blue Ridge, world famous for the color in fall, can barely hold a candle

to what you captured here. Each one of these could mean another hosting of a contest.
:)

Beautiful country and stunning portrayals.

[elleng]

9. BEAUTIFUL!

[Elfin Yeti]

10. Apparently...

...you and your camera died and went to heaven(?). Exquisite!

[Solly Mack]

11. Those are jaw-dropping beautiful.

I'm blown away by them.