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Sedona Fall Color – West Fork Trail

00-mjensen-west-fork-entrance-sumac-1265Photographers (and tourists) flock to West Fork Trail in the Fall. It is located in Oak Creek Canyon and has a special micro-climate that is perfect for Maple trees which are a treat to see in Arizona. CLICK HERE to see the species of this Maple.

Sumac Trees on Hwy 89a across from the entrance to the Trail. (Fuji X E-1)

Sumac Trees on Hwy 89a across from the entrance to the Trail. (Fuji X E-1)

Weather has been very strange this year. As it was in Flagstaff, some trees turned color very early while others took a few weeks more. Hit and miss color but still plenty of photos opportunities. On my first day (Oct 16), I found much of the back part of the West Fork trail was still green. Thirteen days and a couple of windstorms later, the trees had turned beautiful shades of red and orange and ultimately dropped the majority of their leaves. Here are my favorite photos from my many visits to the trail this trip:

Capturing a "people free" bridge is very difficult in fall! Get there early. (smartphone)

Capturing a “people free” bridge is very difficult in fall! Get there early. (smartphone)

Apple Tree and Dried Wildflowers. An overcast day is the time to photograph weeds! (Fuji X E-1)

Apple Tree and Dried Wildflowers. An overcast day is the time to photograph weeds! (Fuji X E-1)

Oak Creek Canyon Reflections. (Fuji X E-1)

Oak Creek Canyon Reflections. (Fuji X E-1)

04-mjensen-west-fork-reflection-0444

Maple Trees starting to turn. This is a little alcove high above the trail. (smartphone).

Red Maples are increasing in number a week later. (smartphone)

Red Maples are increasing in number a week later. (smartphone)

Red Maples seen through Yellow Maples. (Fuji X E-1)

Red Maples seen through Yellow Maples. (Fuji X E-1)

There were still many wildflowers in the Canyon including this Canada Violet. (smartphone)

There were still many wildflowers in the Canyon including this Canada Violet. (smartphone)

Maples in Motion. (Fuji X E-1)

Maples in Motion. (Fuji X E-1)

I wasn't able to get the great red reflections of years past but a little color is better than none! (Fuji X E-1)

I wasn’t able to get the great red reflections of years past but a little color is better than none! (Fuji X E-1)

It seemed the Maple leaves were falling almost as quickly as they were turning color! (Fuji X E-1)

It seemed the Maple leaves were falling almost as quickly as they were turning color! (Fuji X E-1)

Oak Leaf hanging on. Captured with my 55-200mm lens at 200mm, (Fuji X E-1)

Oak Leaf hanging on. Captured with my 55-200mm lens at 200mm, (Fuji X E-1)

Freshly fallen Maple Leaves. One of my last photos from West Fork. (Smartphone)

Freshly fallen Maple Leaves. One of my last photos from West Fork. (Smartphone)

2 Comments
  1. Linda #

    All just beautiful….esp. like the reflections photos and the bridge. The photos with the crystal ball are really interesting….neat technique…..not easy to do with only two hands!!

    October 31, 2013
    • Thanks so much for your comments, Linda! I really appreciate your taking the time 🙂 Happy you like my glass ball photos! I could just sit it on the ground but I like having my fingers showing so ….Yes…shooting through them is tough. But I have two cameras with touch screen which really help. Anyway…hope you all come again next year!

      October 31, 2013

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