I returned to Shenandoah National Park this past Friday to see how much the fall colors have progressed since my visit there three weeks ago—check out my post from October 17 entitled Shenandoah National Park to see my photos from the previous trip. There were some patches of brilliant color, though most of the colors were relatively muted. Over time, I have grown to appreciate all of the common shades of burnt orange, rust, and yellow that make the fiery reds and brilliant yellow stand out when they are present.
The drive along Skyline Drive, the road that runs through the length of the park mostly along a ridge, was relaxing and refreshing, with lots of overlooks to pull over and enjoy the scenery. The final photo gives you a feel for the road itself—most of the curves are gentle enough that I could enjoy the scenery even as I was driving, without fear of falling off a mountain.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Mike Powell 
Lovely
Thanks, Louella.
Very pretty, Mike.
Thanks, Dan. I love the colors of the autumn and am thrilled when I manage to find some brilliant foliage displays to photograph.
Very nice Mike! Here in NJ the colors seem more muted so far this year. With only a few very colorful trees!
Thanks, Reed. My local area in Northern Virginia has been much like your situation in NJ–mostly we tend to fade to brown and then the leaves fall to the ground. Things were a lot brighter in the mountains, where I took the photos in the posting.
Thank you for sharing this beauty!
You are welcome. Fall is my favorite time of the year weather-wise and I love it when the changing leaves make the autumn days even more memorable.
Mine too, Mike!
Well, that’s just beautiful!
It’s been a long time since we have enjoyed “real” autumn colors.
Thank you for sharing, Mike.
Thanks, Wally. Fall is my favorite time of the year weatherwise and I like living in a place where we have four distinct seasons. In my part of Northern Virginia, though, colors are more muted than they are in the mountains, where I took the photos for this posting.
I love the array of colours visible in each shot. It may just be my flawed perception but I think we are getting some particularly glorious colour out of the trees this Autumn.
Thanks, Laura. I have never quite figured out the exact recipe of optimum fall foliage colors. Each year it seems to change, but it is supposed to be some combination of daylight hours and nighttime temperatures. Mostly it seems to be a localized phenomenon, with some spots being especially glorious in any given year and others being more drab. Things were a bit more predictable when I was growing up in New England, possibly because there were a lot of maple trees, which seem to produce more vibrant foliage colors.
Although I have visited New England a few times, I have unfortunately never been at this time of year. I would love to see the Fall colours in New England some time.
Love the Drive!
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Thanks, Mitzy. It is especially cool because I have the Senior National Park Pass so I can go to places like this without having to pay entrance fees. 🙂
Great, aren’t they? 🙂
🙂 Yes, indeed.
Beautiful autumn foliage – so worth the drive!
Thanks, Eliza. I tend to stick mostly to my general area and forget sometimes how beautiful it is to venture a little farther afield. 🙂
What a beautiful sight!
Thanks.
Wonderful bounteous creation painted in colors for us! Grand.
Amen!!
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