Deeply Disturbed

[AlanLichty]

The opposite end of the spectrum from pristine old growth forests near Smith River is this scene on display near the mouth of Sweet Creek. As a crow (or drone) flies this is less than a mile from one of the larger early saw mills near Florence Oregon and has been logged extensively in addition to several wildfires through the years. On the one hand the conifer cover is pretty sparse but on the other hand this has provided some great opportunities for the deciduous trees to thrive and offer up quite a bit of fall color. One of the more recent wildfires in the area encroached into this valley a few years back and can be seen in the upper right of the scene and a clear cut is visible beyond that in the distance.

I did manage to time my visit just right in late October to catch the maples at close to peak colors.

C&C always welcome.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Wasn't sure what to expect from your title. Nice view with fairly saturated colors. The light with overcast skies adds to the mood.

 

[AlanLichty]

Wasn't sure what to expect from your title. Nice view with fairly saturated colors. The light with overcast skies adds to the mood.

Thanks Jameel - these were some of the most colorful displays I have seen out of 8 years worth of driving up this little valley. I had high hopes for amazing color shows up along the waterfall trail but the trees along the trail had mostly dropped their leaves.

 

[John Holbrook]

The winding stream bordered by autumn colors mixed with evergreens—very nice!

 

[Trent Watts]

Whatever the forestry reality you managed a beautiful photo Alan.

 

[AlanLichty]

The winding stream bordered by autumn colors mixed with evergreens—very nice!

Thanks John - if you into paddling there is flatwater heading upstream from here for at least 4 or 5 miles. This particular day would have offered up some amazing sights along the winding path.

 

[AlanLichty]

Whatever the forestry reality you managed a beautiful photo Alan.

Thanks Trent - the forestry reality is simple: more disturbances means more fall colors Go 6 miles south of here (off to the right) as a crow flies and you will be in old growth forest with almost no fall colors from the air at all.

 

[MonikaC]

You certainly got some nice colors for this. Sweet, indeed!

 

[AlanLichty]

You certainly got some nice colors for this. Sweet, indeed!

Thanks Monika - I never thought I would be celebrating old wildfire patches and clear cuts but that's where the colors are to be found in the PNW forests.

 

[JimFox]

This is so pretty! I really like the view here.

 

[AlanLichty]

This is so pretty! I really like the view here.

Thanks Jim - the leaves near the mouth of the creek were pretty much at peak color during this visit.