Golden sentinels standing tall
up to the sky trembling limbs reach.
Graceful harbingers of the fall
shimmering leaves whisper on each.
Marching along all clothed in white
watching o'er mountain meadows high.
Bathed in heaven's soft morning light
framed against a bright cobalt sky.Colorado, a place so free
between the mountains, trees and streams.
I close my eyes and I can see
October Aspen in my dreams.
© 2010 Nita G. Isenhour (All rights reserved)
From the subtle notes of Spring's early flowers to the bright hues of late fall the symphony of color has almost played out here in the Rocky Mountains. It is fitting that the final crescendo is left to the largest organism on earth, the ancient aspen.
The Season's Finale is Underway
I went chasing aspen color these past few weeks and the venue was Rocky Mountain National Park.
The Place for Aspens
I tracked these golden trees from high on the Bierstadt Moraine (named for western landscape painter Albert Bierstadt) where the vista is sweeping...
Bierstadt Moraine Fall Vista
More of Bierstadt's Gold
to a solitary aspen growing next to Alberta Falls...
The View at Alberta Falls
Some form golden aspen atriums...
Aspen Atrium
some reach for the sky...
Bierstadt Skyward Aspens
some hide in the pines...
Behind the Pines
while others reach for the peaks....
Moraine Park Tree Stand
Some groves form "golden sentinels" blazing with color on the outside...
Beaver Meadow Grove
while offering more intimate light play on the inside...
Light Play in the Grove
Soon the season's glorious finalé will end and the aspens will be completely "all clothed in white," leaving us with only our memories (and art) until the first subtle notes of spring return.
Waiting for Spring's Return on the Continental Divide