Autumn | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

November 20, 2013July 17, 2018

Boulder Mountain Solitude

Bare aspens at twilight on Boulder Mountain, Dixie National Forest, Utah

Boulder Mountain in south central Utah is one of those special places that doesn’t get the attention it deserves – and that’s a good thing. Covering half of the Aquarius Plateau in Wayne and Garfield counties, it includes 50,000 acres of rolling forest and high meadows surrounded by beautiful stands of aspen. At over 11,000 feet it’s also the highest timbered plateau in North America, and encompasses a good portion of Dixie National Forest, the largest preserve in the state.

Scenic Byway 12 is the main artery in the area and traverses the eastern side of the mountain from the town of Torrey through Boulder and on to Escalante. Rising to the west of Capitol Reef National Park, Boulder Mountain is the prominent landform along this beautiful stretch of highway as you travel south to Bryce Canyon and Zion.

With so many outstanding natural features and world-famous parks in the area, it’s easy to see how this spot gets overlooked, but therein lies it’s beauty. It’s a wonderful place to explore and experience the solitude that’s often hard to find in the more popular destinations of this amazing state.

November 4, 2013October 30, 2015

Conflict of Interest

Fresh snow on fall aspens and pines, Inyo National Forest, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California USA
©Russ Bishop / All Rights Reserved ~ Click image for larger view

It’s that time of year again when Mother Nature is a bit conflicted. Autumn and her spectacular colors haven’t quite left the scene, but winter is starting to make serious inroads. They say there’s nothing like visual tension to create compelling images and this, my favorite time of year, is a prime example.

The beauty of scenes like this is what inspires us to make photographs, but on a deeper level I think we also sympathise with the underlying struggle. That emotional connection in turn creates a deeper bond with the subject and the resulting images take on a life of their own.

I feel very fortunate to be able to witness and share such beauty, but it is always my hope that my images stir an emotional response as well. Our natural world is in a state of flux as our environment is seen more and more for its monetary value and less for its spiritual rewards. The seasonal conflict illustrated here is a natural occurrence, but it mimics a larger challenge that as nature photographers we have the power to bring into focus.

October 13, 2010November 7, 2017

Transition Time

Golden fall aspens and fresh snow, San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado (Russ Bishop/Russ Bishop Photography) — Golden fall aspens, San Juan Mountains, Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado

The transition from summer to fall can be a sudden explosion of color or a subtle change in hues depending on how quickly the temperature drops as the autumnal equinox approaches. Equally dramatic is the first snowfall signaling the coming of winter. It might be a light dusting on leaves and branches adding a new dimension to the autumn landscape, or a large storm that blankets the slopes at higher elevations in stark contrast to the bold colors below. This image from the San Juan Mountains in Colorado exemplifies the later and is a prime example of seasons competing for attention – and for the photographer’s eye.