The black cottonwoods that line the Merced River are completely bare and normally they are in full color this week. Check the article for comparisons to previous years’ gallery photos. When the big leaf maples and dogwoods are finished next weekend the season for color in Yosemite will go with them. This photo was made on October 22, 2011 with a Canon 5D MkII camera using the Canon 24-105mmL zoom set to 24mm. The exposure was 1/125 sec. at f/9.5 using ISO 400 and a Polarizing filter. For more information on exposure and filters, check our Tips and Techniques section. 169