Bishop Creek Canyon Fall Colors
Photos of Eastern Sierra Fall Colors and Aspen Trees in Bishop Creek Canyon
Like moths to the flame, Garry and I made a banzai run* up to Bishop Creek Canyon to get some fresh air and check out the fall colors last weekend. The quaking aspen trees (Populus tremuloides) had been turning for about a week or so. We knew we missed the great conditions earlier in the week and indeed the photographic conditions were just so-so, with beautiful near-summerlike weather and nary a cloud in the sky. Most aspen trees at the higher elevations had good color but many were half stripped of leaves due to the recent storm. Lower elevations still have a ways to go, with much green still at Aspendel and the intake ponds. June Lake and Convict Lake are still early, peaking in perhaps a week or two I would guess. As for crowds, they were not too bad: we encountered just one photo group workshop and we only had to kung-fu a few pesky medium format photographers along the shore of North Lake each morning (note: for this I recommend the Gitzo limited edition “Crowd Special” that quickly transforms into bo and nunchaku). OK, that last part is a lie. Here are a few images in chrono order. Life is good!
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| Sage brush and aspen trees, autumn, in the shade of Bishop Creek Canyon in the Sierra Nevada. Image ID: 26060 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Sierra Nevada mountains and aspen trees, fall colors reflected in the still waters of North Lake. Image ID: 26061 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Sierra Nevada mountains and aspen trees, fall colors reflected in the still waters of North Lake. Image ID: 26062 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Fall colors and turning aspens, eastern Sierra Nevada. Image ID: 26065 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Bishop Creek and aspen trees in autumn, in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountains. Image ID: 26074 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Aspen trees, with leaves changing from green to yellow in autumn, branches stretching skyward, a forest. Image ID: 26073 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Bishop creek and turning aspens, south fork of Bishop Creek in the eastern Sierra Nevada. Image ID: 26071 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Aspen trees, fall colors, reflected in the still waters of North Lake. Image ID: 26077 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
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| Aspen trees in autumn, fall colors, eastern Sierra Nevada. Image ID: 26083 Species: Aspen, Populus tremuloides Location: Bishop Creek Canyon Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA |
*banzai photographer (n): (1) a photographer with a working spouse and multiple kids each of whom has lots of activities that require driving all over the place during the week, help with homework in the evenings, and then driving all over the place on the weekends; (2) a photographer who crams five days of photography into a single weekend; (3) a photographer with a banzai attitude about life; (4) a photographer who photographs banzai trees.
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Updated: May 22, 2013
Beautiful images Phil. I’m glad you made it up to Bishop Creek. The colors were pretty amazing last week and the dusting of snow was a nice addition. Love that North Lake vista (even if you do have to compete for space ;-).
Comment by Russ Bishop — 10/12/2010 @ 9:39 am
Hi Russ, thanks. I also love the North Lake area in the morning. Its cliche, sure, but so pleasant. I actually had the shore line to myself one sunrise a few years ago but I doubt that will ever happen again. I saw some awesome photos from the previous weekend, I think that was probably the time to have gone but I was tied up. Next year. Cheers…
Comment by Phil — 10/12/2010 @ 9:48 am
Great images, Phil. Certainly seems like the Banzai run paid off. (I seem to fit that definition as well)
Comment by Gary Crabbe / Enlightened Images — 10/12/2010 @ 10:14 am
Gary, I’m pretty sure everyone up there on a weekend is on a banzai run. Those that aren’t pressed for time are smart enough to go midweek! Thanks.
Comment by Phil — 10/12/2010 @ 10:20 am
Not to diminish the photos Phil, but I love the definition at the end. I’m starting to feel more Bonzai daily since Matthew arrived…it’s not just for the weekends anymore!
Comment by latoga — 10/12/2010 @ 10:48 am
I know the feeling Greg, kids change how we go about doing everything, we have to adopt the banzai attitude just to fit it all in! Thanks.
Comment by Phil — 10/12/2010 @ 10:52 am
These are a treat, Phil. Missed your postings recently.
Comment by John Pelafigue — 10/12/2010 @ 12:06 pm
Thanks very much John. I’ve been pretty busy. More soon, I promise. Cheers…
Comment by Phil — 10/12/2010 @ 12:52 pm
Nice shots Phil.
Comment by Richard Wong — 10/12/2010 @ 5:11 pm
Thanks Richard. I’ve admired your shot of North Lake for some time.
Comment by Phil — 10/12/2010 @ 6:00 pm
Thanks Phil. North Lake is a great place. Not sure how I’d enjoy shooting sunrise there though due to the crowds. It was bad enough during that sunset I was there sharing the shore w/ just two obnoxious photogs.
Comment by Richard Wong — 10/21/2010 @ 4:53 pm