Considering the many variables that impact the timing, duration and vibrancy of the autumn foliage display, it's amazing how generally consistent the "show" tends to be, year after year.

I liken it to a recipe, its ingredients added to the pot as the year progresses. Conditions going as far back as the previous January can determine what kind of autumn we'll have.

Having witnessed the annual extravaganza in New England - particularly in the mountains of New Hampshire - for a few decades, this autumn's foliage show has definitely been the most unusual I've experienced. A great deal of the color came in early, developed quickly, and disappeared just as fast. Especially impacted in that regard have been the signature brilliant reds. Beautiful as always, they showed up ahead of schedule, did their thing, and dropped. Bing, bang, boom. Other trees, oaks in particular, remained green much later than normal.

While it's tough to "time" the foliage show, generally speaking, the first week of October in the White Mountains is a good bet. Not this year, though. I knew I was in trouble when a photographer buddy back in New Hampshire posted a few photographs he captured during the last week of September showing what looked to me like peak color. At that point I was still shooting foliage in the Tetons; my flight for Boston didn't depart until October 3rd.

Uh oh.

Now I knew even before leaving Idaho that much of what I hoped to accomplish photographically back East would be difficult if not impossible given the status of the color. Time to shift gears and call an audible.

In my experience, the biggest obstacle to challenging situations such as these is between the ears. Of course there is disappointment and frustration, but the key is not to dwell on it. This is sometimes easier said than done, especially when it involves what I refer to as the Greatest Show on Earth. When you know what it's supposed to look like, the discouragement can make it difficult to change your mindset.

It turns out that there were pockets of excellent color scattered throughout the region, though: it was simply a matter of finding it and figuring out how to capture it.

For me, the photograph at the top of this post encapsulates the story of Autumn 2025: brilliant, deep reds in short supply, many trees already bare, some still vibrantly green. An unusual canvas, but still lovely.

The single magenta tree is the focal point. The composition was arranged to minimize chaos and rather create a cohesive scene.

Challenges created by this atypical foliage situation were exacerbated by the inherent difficulties associated with the mostly clear, uninteresting skies I encountered. Consequently, I photographed things I might not normally try to capture during the autumnal show in the White Mountains, like this sunrise captured from near the Kancamagus Pass.

The wispy line of clouds was enough to add a little bit of visual interest to the sky, while the colorful foliage in the foreground provided seasonal context.

A line from a long-ago article in Outdoor Photographer was, once again, applicable while I was working in the mountains of my adoptive state: What kind of photograph can you make given the particular conditions?

Call the audible. There's always something to shoot.

In Local News

It's Coming!

The first winter weather advisory of the season was issued yesterday for elevations above 6,000 feet. Snow already blankets the Tetons; this time the snow line could extend all the way down to Jackson.

All entrances to Yellowstone will close to regular vehicle traffic on October 31st. The exception is the Gardiner entrance, which remains open all year. Oversnow season begins December 15th.

Wildlife

Reckless driving continues to be a significant - and deadly - problem in Grand Teton National Park: the situation is only getting worse. Four moose have been killed in just the past few weeks, including the famous moose affectionately known as "Elk Antler" who was hit and killed just last week near Schwabacher Landing. Speeding is always a problem, but the stakes are even higher this time of year when wildlife are more active.

I have zero tolerance for this, and am particularly incensed when I encounter speeders in the early morning darkness; it's highly likely those are photographers. Nature photographers ought to revere and respect both the land and the animals who call it home.

Those who insist on treating national parks like urban areas shouldn't be in the parks. Period.