Fall Colors in Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada, 2020

By October 12, 2020January 17th, 2021California, Sierra Nevada, Trees

As I try to do each autumn, I recently returned to some of my favorite spots in the Bishop Creek watershed to enjoy autumn’s brief show. Inyo National Forest has been closed lately due to major fires throughout California including the nearby Creek Fire, but opened a week ago in time for people to enjoy the turning aspens the area is well-known for. Air quality in the Owens Valley was horrible to the point that I could barely see the Sierra Nevada or White Mountains from some parts of 395 but once at elevation it improved greatly, with reasonably blue skies and warm sunny weather. The quaking aspens were as beautiful as ever and seemed to be at or near peak color throughout the upper reaches of all three sections of Bishop Creek Canyon, and quite a few people were there to enjoy it.  This is probably the last time I go see the fall colors on a weekend as the crowds have grown just a little too much. Serenity Now! The days of being alone at North Lake at sunrise, with no voices to be heard except a few fishermen floating in their tubes on the still water, are long gone. I spent most of my time alone in groves along the road to South Lake. I can still hear the sound of tall stands of aspens quaking in the warm breeze, leaves falling to cover the ground at my feet in a carpet of yellow and orange.  I sure do love the Eastern Sierra. Cheers and thanks for looking!

Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36437
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Sierra Nevada fall colors in soft predawn light, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Sierra Nevada fall colors in soft predawn light, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36431
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Quaking Aspen Trees, Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Quaking Aspen Trees, Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36443
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36447
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36450
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Turning aspen trees and Paiute Peak, Bishop Creek Canyon, Eastern Sierra Nevada, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Turning aspen trees and Paiute Peak, Bishop Creek Canyon, Eastern Sierra Nevada.
Image ID: 36438
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36445
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36448
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, North Lake, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36439
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36441
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36442
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36449
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36451
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36444
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36455
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon, Populus tremuloides, Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains

Aspen Trees and Sierra Nevada Fall Colors, Bishop Creek Canyon.
Image ID: 36456
Species: Quaking Aspen, Populus tremuloides
Location: Bishop Creek Canyon, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!