For the past month, color spotters have been sending comments and questions as to whether this autumn is appearing earlier than usual. We think the jury’s still out on that, as individual species often turn early and the Eastern Sierra seems just about on track, though – at most – a week early.

Color spotter, photographer and graphic designer par excellence Alison Maloney posted this photo on our Facebook page, showing auburn liquidambar leaves in Pleasanton. Alison always has an eye for the graphic in her photographs, as seen here. If you photograph color in your area, post it to Facebook or comment here.