2023 Fall Foliage in Colorado

Gunnison National Forest

— Having never truly experienced fall foliage before, my husband and I decided to celebrate our 30th anniversary by going to Colorado at the time fall colors were beginning to peak. Prior to that, the only fall colors we had experienced were here in Austin. One year, I actually did a mini-project called Colors at Copperfield Nature Trail. Last year, we experienced a phenomenal fall color display around the city. In particular, the Red Bud Isle area was gorgeous.

None of those would prepare us for what we experienced in Colorado just about a month ago in late September. We met up with a couple of friends who used to live here and let them guide us around the Gunnison National Forest. They were very familiar with the area. In about ten days, we did several hikes and drives to fully immerse ourselves in fall colors. After nearly 900 photos, it was very difficult to come up with some examples for this post.

The opening photo was captured during our hike on the Dark Canyon Trail. We had driven by Kebler Pass and got to this section called Oh-Be-Joyful Pass. I can easily see why the name is so appropriate.

The next two photos are from our drive on Ohio Creek Road in the middle of the Gunnison NF. Several locals kept telling us this was not peak fall colors yet. In my mind, though, I could only imagine what a full peak really is.


The Dark Canyon Trai that I featured in the first photo never ran short of surprises. Whether looking at the trail in front of us or around us, there were plenty of fall colors.


While hiking the Three Lakes Trail, the most scenic of the trails we did while in Colorado, it was wonderful to look up and see the Aspen trees and fall colors everywhere, Looking up, the yellow leaves were glistening against the Colorado blue sky.


In closing, I could not pass up the opportunity to see what effect the foliage would have on an ICM photo. With just a slight movement of the camera with a low shutter speed of 1/25 seconds, I captured this beautiful dance of Aspens and fall colors.

ICM (Intentional Camera Movement)

When I saw Denzil Nature’s post for the nature photo challenge this week, I could not have been more pleased. Denzil asked us to show Autumn colors. I was happy that I even had brand-new unpublished photos for the challenge.


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22 Responses

  1. Pat
    | Reply

    These are beautiful photos. What a wonderful experience for you.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks, Pat. It was really very special.

      • margaret21
        | Reply

        How spectacular! And yet the best was still to come?

        • Egídio Leitão
          | Reply

          Many thanks, Margaret. Yup, I couldn’t believe the best was yet to come. Locals were saying that peak was a week late this year.

  2. Tra Italia e Finlandia
    | Reply

    Che meraviglia! 🍁🍂

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Grazie. I miei occhi non potevano credere ai colori.

  3. Anita
    | Reply

    These photos are all so beautiful, gorgeous fall colors!! I love your last one, it’s very special.

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks, Anita. I also liked the way the ICM photo came out.

  4. Ingalill Sjögren
    | Reply

    Wow! Beautyful pictures!

  5. PR
    | Reply

    That’s a wonderland 😀. Beautiful!

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks, PR. I felt like I was in a playground indeed.

  6. aekshots
    | Reply

    Beautiful captures of the fall colors…very nice!

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thanks for your kind feedback. I appreciated that.

  7. Rupali
    | Reply

    Lovely autumn images.

  8. Tales From My Lens
    | Reply

    Beautiful. I love doing ICM. Your trees really took to it!

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Thank you so much for the feedback. I am often looking for new ICM compositions to try. It’s a fun way to photograph everyday things.

  9. Jeanne
    | Reply

    Beautiful photos! The forest floor with birch trees is especially awesome!

    • Egídio Leitão
      | Reply

      Jeanne, thank you very much for your compliment and kind words. I appreciated them.

  10. SoyBend
    | Reply

    Love all the colorful leaves! 🙂

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