"Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises."
~Pedro Calderón de la Barca

I appreciate a lot of colors. I don't really have a favorite: it depends on the context. For example, if it's flowers, I'm partial to hues like fuchsia, pink and rose.

As far as the landscape is concerned, though, I couldn't agree more with Calderón, the Golden Age Spanish writer and poet. I'm about as big of a fan of green as you're going to find: specifically, green season. While there is beauty to be found in nature throughout the year, I've got to give the edge to the greens.

Green season isn't unique to Teton Country, of course, but living here I appreciate it even more: our semi-arid, high-altitude climate truncates a show that is already all too brief. (In New Hampshire, I heard it referred to as the "other" foliage season. True!)

I spend more time with my camera in and around the Tetons in late spring and early summer than at any other point during the year. I'm always looking for ways to tell the story of green season. When people ask me what exactly I'm going to shoot, the response is always the same: "I'll know it when I see it."

Phase I occurs when the deciduous trees first leaf out. The young foliage is bright, lighter in color, and spectacularly lush. Contrast that new foliage with the dark greens of conifers and the end result is a verdant symphony. How many shades of green are there? Lime. Chartreuse. Emerald. Shamrock. Fern. Kelly. Forest.

During Phase II, the foliage darkens as it matures. The color remains rich; the hues become more uniform.

Later, as summer progresses, some trees will inevitably become stressed. Factors like lack of water, or too much water (that one is typically not a problem here!), violent storms and insects can impact the appearance of the leaves.

But not now. Not during green season.

Currently, it remains very green in Grand Teton National Park, but we are on borrowed time. In spite of last weekend's cold snap which brought with it rain and even some snow, the park's fire danger level is now rated as high. Included in that rating is the Bridger-Teton National Forest and the National Elk Refuge.

Summer heat will quickly dry out the grasses (of which there are many dozens of species in GTNP), and much of what is now green will transition to gold and brown. It's already beginning to dry out at lower altitudes in surrounding areas.

Beautiful things in nature are often fleeting. The blooms on flowering trees and shrubs quickly come and go. Wildflowers. Autumn color. A vibrant sunrise. Hoarfrost. Fog.

And green season, too.

It has been beautiful this year, as always. It won't last long, as always.

It is admired and appreciated.

As always.

About the Photographs

Top: This line of cottonwoods in Grand Teton National Park always impresses me because the trees are in such good shape. That's not the case with a lot of the cottonwoods in the park, many of which are a little worse for wear - likely the result of the beating they take from high winds. On this evening, thunderstorms were moving out of the area at sunset. Everything was lush: the trees, the sage, the rabbitbrush, and the grasses. What caught my eye was the line created by the base of the trees, which formed a mirror image of the shape of the mountains.

Middle: On this cloudless morning, there were no photographs to be made as the sun came up. I watched as the faces of the Teton peaks were lit, and then moved on to Taggart Lake. At that time of day, the popular trail is nearly deserted so it's a perfect opportunity to enjoy the area in solitude. I had no subject matter in mind until I saw the lovely aspens reflected in the gently rippling water. I worked this scene for quite a while. Each abstract was a little bit different. Green season! I know the story when I see it.

Bottom: Both Swan Valley and the Teton Valley on the Idaho side of the mountains are heavily agricultural and absolutely stunning in the late spring. Acres upon acres of early crops paint a lovely picture. Since the Snake River runs through Swan Valley, there are quite a few aspens and cottonwoods as well. Lush greens, as far as the eye can see.

In Local News

Teton Pass will be closed this weekend (Friday 6pm until Monday 6am) to allow construction crews to finish the new permanent road at the site of last year's landslide. The closure will enable the existing road to be connected to the new road, removal of asphalt from the detour that's been in use, especially at the tie-end locations, and for grading, paving, and installation of guardrails and signage.