Finding the Extraordinary
Searching for fall color reveals aspects of life in California that are unexpected and extraordinary, such as this scene captured by Robert Kermen. You might expect to see winnowing by hand in Southeast Asia, but instead it happens each autumn in Tambo, near Marysville.
Kermen was traveling from Grass Valley toward Marysville on CA-20 when he detoured onto Mathews Lane to photograph raptors perched near wetlands. Nearby, at a rice milling plant, rice whose hulls were too obstinate to be winnowed is dumped into a pile. Before rains can ruin the un-winnowed rice, industrious scavengers visit the location and sift the pile for gleanings.
Until recently, Robert had never been able to get a photo of that happening, though on this occasion, he got his shot.
The search for California Fall Color is not just about landscape photography or appreciating trees. It is about finding golden jewels throughout the golden state.
Orange Friday
Color spotters across California will avoid waiting in lines today, on Black Friday. Instead, they will be appreciating an Orange Friday at Peak to Past Peak locations like these. GO NOW! You almost missed it.
North Coast
Central Valley
Shasta Cascade
San Francisco Bay Area
San Diego County
Giving Thanks and Looking Back at 2017
On this Thanksgiving Day, CaliforniaFallColor.com is thankful to well over 100 color spotters and photographers who contributed reports, photographs and videos in 2017.
They include (from first turned leaf reported): Darrell Sano, LA Leaf Peeper, Alena Nicholas, Sandy Steinman, Josh Wray, Anirudh Natekar, Jeff Simpson, Jared Smith, Shanda Ochs, Kimberly Kolafa, Clayton Peoples, Alicia Vennos, Phillip Reedy, Naresh Satyan, Max Forster, Jeri Rangel, Carol Novacek, Nancy Wright, Jeff Luke Titcomb, Marc Hoshovsky, Crys Black, Jeff Hemming, Michael Beatley, Tracy Zhou, Gabriel Leete, Frank McDonough, Anson Davalos, Karin Davalos, Susan Morning, Dennis Vance, Daniel Stas, Dan Clark, Mohammad Delwar, Bruce Wendler, Will Ridgeway, Del Hossain, Andrew Zheng, Rich Aeschliman, Lee Foster, Nancy Hull, Martha Fletcher, Chris Gallagher, Gene Miller, Nicole Coburn, Jay Thesken, Steve Greer, Steve Shinn, Star Masterson, Jim Gardner, Leor Pantillat, Kathy Wasson, Terry Rightmire, Daniel Danzig, Dandy Candywolf, Jim Lancaster, Marc Hoshovsky, Kevin Gilligan, Ravi Ranganathan, Michael Brandt, Robert Cherenson, Erich Castellon, Ryan Prawiradjaja, Cory Poole, Jennifer Tiffan, Ahnalise Draper, Trent Vierra, Dylan Ren, Kathy Jonokuchi, Bridgett Lochen, Mark Harding, Dan Varvais, Shane Coker, Peter Robbins, Ben Waterman, Blair Lockhart, Gene Miller, Niven D Le, Maggie Huang, John Caffrey, Micayla Anderson, Tony Rice, Ren Trujillo, Sigthor Markuson, Xin Wang, Simon Lau, Jennifer Franklin, Daniel Stas, Roger Gonzales, Brian Patterson, Laura Shane, Suvadeep Ghosh Dastidar, Adam Weist, Jay Huang, James Forbes, Susan Taylor, Shreenivasan Manievannan, Hari Reddy, Larry Robbins, Mark Harding, Michael Morris, Jeff Hemming, Mark Harding, David Olden, Parrish Todd, Herb Hwang, Michele James, Steve Crowley, Deane Simpson, Deborah Garber, Nancy Hull, Anthony Occhipinti, Mohan Ram, Terry Willard, Dona Montuori Whitaker, Laura Jean, Walt Gabler, Robert Kermen, Paige Kermen, Niles Armstrong, Cindy Lee Hooper, Danie Schwartz, William Thompson, Titus Davis, Peter Mikuljan, Al Auger, Vasu Nargundkar, David Laurence Sharp and Ron Tyler, who produced the above video.
We’re also grateful to the many readers who posted photos and reports to our Facebook and Twitter pages (you are too numerous to name).
Special thanks are expressed to Inyo County Tourism, Bishop Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, Mono County Tourism, Mammoth Lakes Tourism, Redding Convention & Visitors Bureau, Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association, and The California Parks Company for underwriting California Fall Color, and to the many reporters and media who carried our reports and gave attention to what we have shown about California’s fall color.
If we missed thanking you here, please know it wasn’t intentional. We are truly indebted to every contributor.
Of course, this list is incomplete without mentioning Joan, my wife, who has driven the car and pulled it to the shoulder so that I could jump out to photograph a particularly beautiful location; humored my recording of color percentages, species and elevations; pointed out particularly beautiful color; and tolerated my exuberance in showing her stunning photographs taken by our contributors.
Of course, our deepest thanks go to the many tens of thousands of people who have read, followed, reacted and commented here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages. You are, after all, the reason we do this.
Above is our video impression of autumn in California in 2017. We produce a new video each autumn. To see them all, CLICK HERE.
The photographs selected for this year’s video represent: what happened this autumn, the extent and diversity of fall color across the state, and some of the finest photographs taken in 2017.
If you would like your photographs considered for inclusion in next autumn’s video, take pictures of fall color in places not often photographed by other photographers. As, the most competition occurs among photographs of popular destinations.
Autumn doesn’t end today. It continues for nearly a month longer. We’ll continue to post photos and reports, as received. Though today, we begin to dial back reports and will post them less frequently. We have also stopped issuing weekly reports to California TV meteorologists, travel and outdoor writers.
So, enjoy your Thanksgiving Day and plan an Orange Friday.
See you next autumn, dude.
California (Peak 75-100%) GO NOW! – In our hearts, California is always peaking.
Looking Back at Autumns Past
Tomorrow, we post our annual Thanksgiving Day message and video review of 2017.
It will be our fifth annual “California Fall Color Looks Back” video. As, although CaliforniaFallColor.com went live in 2009, it wasn’t until 2013 that we began posting video reviews.
In advance of seeing “California Fall Color Looks Back at 2017,” we thought you might like to see those from years past.
Ron Tyler created each video. Ron is head of the Tyler Marketing Group, an El Dorado Hills-based marketing communications consultancy with expertise in social media, product marketing and video.
Each of the photographs selected for these videos is representative of what happened that autumn, the extent and diversity of fall color then seen across the state, and some of the finest photographs taken that year.
2016
2015
2014
2013
Give Thanks, The Bay Area is Peaking
In the early 1960s, Burlingame and San Mateo High Schools held “The Little Big Game” – their long-standing rivalry – on Thanksgiving Day.
I know, because I attended those games each Thanksgiving Day (Yes, I am that old).
Walking to the games (held at BHS) was a memory-searing experience. Cars, decorated with crepe paper ribbons of red, white, orange and black – the competing schools’ colors – rolled past, their passengers shouting cheers through open windows.
The distant sounds of bands, each trying to outdo the other with a louder fight song, was carried through the crisp autumn air across Burlingame parks and streets.
Those streets and parks are still forested with the same ancient trees. Their thick branches, during Thanksgiving Week, are laden with heavy loads of auburn, crimson, orange, ginger, yellow, gold, emerald and tawny-colored leaves.
Their crowns are supported by massive trunks rising from feet so gnarled that they unearth and twist sidewalks into tilting slabs of concrete.
Following the game, I’d return along those uprooted paths, my chilled hands stuffed deeply into my jacket’s felt-lined pockets, to a warm home in Hillsborough and Thanksgiving dinner.
Those days influenced a lifelong affection for autumn. I still associate vibrant Peak color and a football game played on a dewy field with Thanksgiving Day.
Today, a reporter from the Santa Rosa Press Democrat called to ask if the fall color is unusually vibrant everywhere or just in Santa Rosa (north of the Bay Area). I couldn’t say with certainty, as this has been an autumn when nothing seems to follow what’s happened historically.
Early this autumn, stands of aspen were still green near 10,000′ in elevation, while others at 8,000′ were peaking. Some groves had levels of color change, from Just Starting to Past Peak, all at once.
From across the state, anxious calls and emails arrived, asking why 2017 was so different. I had begun to question everything I’d come to expect about fall color.
Then, proof arrived that this is not the end of times. Photographs from Bay Area color spotters Sandy Steinman and Darrell Sano renewed my faith in the traditions of autumn by reminding me of the lustrous hues I saw in my salad days.
The San Francisco Bay Area is again peaking on time for Thanksgiving Day. Give thanks.
San Francisco Bay Area – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW! – The best color can be seen in the urban forests of Santa Rosa, Rohnert Park, Petaluma, Novato, San Rafael, San Francisco, Danville, Walnut Creek, Corte Madera, Lafayette, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro, Burlingame, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Atherton, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Campbell and San Jose. Peak of the Week.
Beauty Returns to the Ventana Wilderness
Until this year, the Soberanes Fire in the Pine Valley area of the Ventana Wilderness was the most expensive wildfire in U.S. history.
The Tubbs Fire which scorched Santa Rosa in October erased that dubious record.
Color spotter Leor Pantilat revisited Pine Valley and the Ventana Wilderness in Monterey County this past Sunday to find that most of the ponderosa pines, several of the larger landmark black oaks and cottonwoods there survived the Soberanes Fire. The latter are carrying bright orange and golden color.
He found the Tassajara Road, a dirt road that leads to the trailhead at China Camp, also full of beautiful orange black oaks.
That is reassuring news to areas hit by wildfire this year. As, nature is forgiving and beauty returns quickly.
Leor classifies the Ventana Wilderness at Peak and advises that the area is prime for fall color hikes over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, making Pine Valley in the Ventana Wilderness Hike of the Week.
Ventana Wilderness, Monterey County – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
Fall Color Run
Marathoners passed Peak fall color on their route along historic Telegraph Ave., through North Berkeley and the vibrant Fourth Street district, down Gilman Street, along the waterfront and back to downtown Berkeley this past weekend, while competing in the Berkeley Half Marathon.
Berkeley – Peak (75-100%) GO NOW!
A Bobcat Brought Us Back
This bobcat brought us back to report about Oak Glen (see yesterday’s post).
Here’s the story. This past weekend, Southern California color spotter Alena Nicholas called to say she planned a Sunday drive to Oak Glen, and asked if we could use any photos. I answered that I thought it was Past Peak, but you never know, there might be something good to shoot.
She returned with yesterday’s report, including a nice shot of deer in an apple orchard, which inspired posting a pie recipe… it seemed like a nice way to tell our readers about neat places like Oak Glen.
After posting the article, Alena called again and said she was on vacation and planned to drive over to Idyllwild and Lake Hemet. Could we use photos of those places? Again, I answered that I thought it was Past Peak, but you never know, there might be something good to shoot, and – by the way – could she stay and shoot sunset? (see previous post).
On her way to the San Jacinto Mountains, Alena passed Oak Glen and called excitedly, asking, “Have you ever gotten a photograph of a bobcat with fall color?”
“Send it immediately, I’m putting together our year-end recap video,” I replied.
We’ll let her photos tell the rest of the story.
San Jacinto Sunsets
Spectacular sunset are not limited to California’s Central Valley. Alena Nicholas stayed late on a photo shoot at Lake Hemet in the San Jacinto Mountains and, boy, are we happy she did.
The scene above is just one of several frames full of fall color. Following are others in her progression of sunset shots taken at Lake Hemet. A trick in sunset photography is to arrive early and stay late, as color can continue to improve, even after the sun has set.
Also, note her use of various shutter speeds to create visual drama on the water. In frame #3 (below), she waited to capture Canada geese as they flew low across the water (a nesting pair of Bald eagles can be seen at the lake). Click on image to enlarge.
Alena reports that spots of fall color can still be seen among willows and trees, near Lake Hemet and Idyllwild, southeast of Riverside.
Lake Hemet Campgrounds are a popular spot for Thanksgiving Week campers.
A call to Lake Hemet confirmed that campsites remain available. CLICK HERE for details. For a joyful moment, on their website, watch their excellent video about all there is to do at the lake.
Lake Hemet – Peak to Past Peak – You Almost Missed It.
A Taste of Oak Glen
One of California’s great autumn traditions is driving to Oak Glen (San Bernardino County), Apple Hill (El Dorado County) or Julian (San Diego County) for a taste of the harvest.
Of course, no trip to these apple-growing areas is complete without buying an apple pie, apple strudel, apple dumpling, candied apple, apple cider or some other delicious apple delicacy.
Legendary Oak Glen bakers, Theresa Law of Law’s Oak Glen Coffee Shop and Steve Gillespie of Los Rios Rancho are famous for their apple pies. The following recipe incorporates the best of both.
Since food is so important to Thanksgiving Week, we provide the recipe should you want to bring a taste of California Fall Color to your Thanksgiving Day dinner. Why, even the mule deer are paying attention.
Of course, as color spotter Alena Nicholas suggests, there’s still time to get to Oak Glen, Apple Hill or Julian, should you want to buy a pie straight out of the oven and bring home the sweet smell of autumn.
Famous Oak Glen Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- 9 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples such as Idared, Jonagold, Newtown Pippin, or Stayman Winesap (about 2 1/2 lb. total) Adjust sugar and lemon juice according to the sweetness of the apples you use.
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 4-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Pastry for a double-crust 9-inch pie
- 1-1/3 cups apple juice
- 1 cinnamon stick (3 in.)
- 1 strip orange peel (1/2 by 4 in., orange part only)
- 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
- Vanilla ice cream (optional)
- Mix apple slices with 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and ground cinnamon and nutmeg. Taste and, if desired, add more granulated sugar and lemon juice
- On a lightly floured board, roll half the pastry into a round 1/8 inch thick. Line a 9-inch pie pan with pastry. Fill with apple mixture.
- On a lightly floured board, roll remaining pastry into a 1/8-inch-thick round and lay over apple mixture. Fold edges of top pastry over edges of the bottom one and crimp to seal together. Cut decorative slits in top pastry and sprinkle with about 1 tablespoon granulated sugar.
- Bake on the lowest rack in a 375° oven until juices bubble in center of pie, 1 to 1 1/4 hours. If pastry edges brown before pie is done, drape affected areas with foil. Cool pie on a rack at least 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, in a 1 1/2- to 2-quart pan, combine apple juice, cinnamon stick, and orange peel. Cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Stir in brown sugar until it dissolves. Mix remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch smoothly with 3 tablespoons water; stir into juice mixture over high heat until sauce boils. Discard cinnamon stick and orange peel.
- Cut warm or cool pie into wedges; top each portion with vanilla ice cream and warm or cool cinnamon sauce.
Nutritional Information Per Serving:
- Calories: 476
- Calories from fat: 28%
- Protein: 3.2g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated fat: 3.8g
- Carbohydrate: 84g
- Fiber: 3.2g
- Sodium: 244mg