Oregon Aspen Trees, “Autumn Tapestry”

Description

Oregon Aspen Trees, “Autumn Tapestry”

 Deschutes River Trail, Bend, Oregon

The Deschutes River Trail is a recreational wonderland for the city of Bend Oregon. The up-stream segment of the river trail includes several boat ramps and trailheads, including: Meadow day use area, Lava Island, Big Eddy, Aspen Camp, Dillon Falls, Slough, and Benham Falls.  The actual trail is continuous between all of these trail heads and each section offers something beautiful but slightly different. From raging rapid to lazy oxbows, Old Growth Pondersa to  magical Oregon Aspen Trees, deep canyons to placid meadows. There is something for everyone.

Aspen trees at the peak of fall color reflected in the Deschutes River

This inset image is captured near Dillon Falls and is my best effort at capturing a Deschutes River Reflection of a magical aspen grove at the climax of fall color.  There are several attractive aspen groves along the river trail and the grove captured in my newest fine art photograph as never looked better than it did this fall. I’ve visited these aspen Trees every year for the last 22 years. They continue to evolve. Some are aging harshly and dropping branches. Many have been chewed down by beavers and many young new aspen are sprouting up to replace dead trees.

Fall color variation from year to year in the Bend Oregon area varies distinctly. Early in the autumn of 2022, fall color was disappointing. Vine Maples and riparian greenery along the Metolius River was turning brown due to heat stress rather than the yellows and oranges that make the Metolius a favorite Oregon fall color hike.  Well into the autumn season, Central Oregon received some much needed rainfall. Aspen trees in the Bend Oregon area responded and rewarded hikers with with a late flourish of beautiful fall color.

Oregon Aspen Trees, The Capture

Photographing trees is difficult at best. They are undeniably beautiful but that beauty is difficult to translate via a 2 dimensional media such as landscape photography. Without the 3 dimensional depth provided by movement and stereo vision Tree photography can be difficult. Some arboreal scenes translate well, but many do not.  Many of my best tree photographs have been a result of being keenly aware of small details in a sweeping landscape. Will those color combinations bring depth to a print? Will a dead branch be too distracting in a photograph? Will a slight breeze create too much movement for a given scene? These are some of the questions I ask while scouting. This particular group of Aspen trees has always been attractive but has never looked quit this beautiful. The unusual autumn weather and long term evolution of this aspen grove made for a wonderful synergistic combination. The range and patterns of color  make for a stunning new fine art landscape photograph. Scarlet reds morph to Red Orange, then lemon, green and amber. The color spectrum is accentuated by a subtle “V” formation which draws the viewers eyes downward and outward to the signature white of aspen tree trunks. It is a visual feast!  Pease dont hesitate to call me (541-610-4815) to view a large metal print of this image. It will be in my living room!