Fall Leaves

Fall leaves put on spectacular show at Yosemite this weekend

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, November 9 2012 - 1:46 pm

This is a very special year for fall color in Yosemite, where the valley colors are unbelievable and worth the trip. It is one of those rare years when all the tree species are turning at the same time.

Weekend getaway? Colorful fall leaves at their peak in Eastern Sierra

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, November 9 2012 - 1:44 pm

The fall leaf color in the Eastern Sierra is spectacular this weekend. More areas have turned to their peak autumn colors this last week than is normal.

Catch fall leaf color in Eastern Sierra before it's gone

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, October 12 2012 - 8:50 pm

The weather and gas prices are the big factors for leaf watchers this week in the Eastern Sierra. The dusting of snow from South Lake to Tioga Pass, along with high winds, didn't treat our delicate autumn leaves very well.

Fall leaves in the Sierra: Where to see best color, take best photos

By Dave Henry - Updated: Friday, September 28 2012 - 5:41 pm

Welcome to Sacbee.com's 2012 coverage of the fall foliage in the Sierra. This year, we're off to an early start. Yellows, oranges and reds are appearing sooner than average.

Tips and Techniques: How to take fall photos

By Dave Henry - Updated: Tuesday, September 18 2012 - 6:21 pm

This Tips & Techniques section is designed to help you understand many of the concepts being used to create the photos you are following in our fall colors coverage.

Camera controls

By Dave Henry - Updated: Tuesday, September 18 2012 - 6:21 pm

Many amateur photographers seem overwhelmed in the field with their camera and simply finding something to shoot. I have found over the years that every scene we photograph can be divided into two categories. It is either an f-stop controlled photo or a shutter speed controlled photo.

Camera Controls

Composition

By Dave Henry - Updated: Tuesday, September 18 2012 - 6:21 pm

Photographing fall colors allows us some freedoms that any other time of year we wouldn't get away with.

Composition

Filters - Sep 18
Accessories - Sep 18
Lighting - Sep 18

Bee/Dave Henry

The color of the black cottonwoods along the Merced River in front of Yosemite falls is turning color. The light dusting of snow last night might bring water back to the falls in a day or two. It has been over a month sine the falls has had any water. This photo was made on November 9, 2012, 2012. 173
Bee/Dave Henry

Last night’s snowfall has given a magical appearance to the trees in Yosemite Valley. The fall foliage is great but it is uncertain how badly it will affect the condition of the leaves. My guess is that most of the leaves will freeze and fall in a couple days. Get here now if you want snow and fall colors. This photo was made on November 9, 2012, 2012. 174
Bee/Dave Henry

Someone obviously is in love with the great fall foliage color in Yosemite this weekend. The light dusting of snow adds to the magic of the scene. This photo was made on November 9, 2012, 2012. 172
Bee/Dave Henry

Last night Yosemite Valley received between one and two inches of snow making for an early morning spectacle of white and brilliant fall foliage. The fall colors in the valley are at their peak right now and the sight of all tree species turning at the same time hasn’t happened in well over 10 years. Everything is pointing to a grand weekend of color and snow photography. This photo was made on November 9, 2012, 2012. 175
Bee/Dave Henry

The oaks at the west end of Cook’s Meadow in Yosemite are in full color and freshly sprinkled with a dusting of snow overnight. The colors are brilliant and the snow makes everything magical. This photo was made on November 9, 2012, 2012. 170

Previous years' fall color galleries:
• 2011 photos
• 2010 photos
• 2009 photos
• 2008 photos
• 2008 photos by Randy Pench
• 2007 photos

Fall Color Tracker

Click here for interactive map of fall leaf conditions

Interactive map includes the latest information on the leaf conditions throughout the northern Sierra so you can find the perfect place to enjoy the Fall show. View map now!

Fall photos from readers

• See more fall photos and upload your own »

SHARE YOUR FALL PHOTOS

Add your fall leaf photos to our reader gallery. Email from your computer or mobile phone to fall@sacbee.com