Can't Wait For Autumn To Arrive

New River, Wythe County, Virginia (click to enlarge)
Nikon D800E; 24-70mm f/2.8 G lens @ 24mm; 1/200th sec. @ f/6.3; ISO 100

It is about this time of year that I've had enough of the heat and humidity of summer.  I'm ready for autumn to arrive.  I suspect if I lived in the northernmost part of the United States where the residents face long, dark very cold winters, I would feel differently.  But here in southeastern Virginia, the summers (to me, anyway) have become largely unbearable.  Those really hot (over 90 degrees F or 32 C with heat indexes over 100 F), humid stretches of days that used to only occur a few days at a time, now seem to last two to three weeks at a time.  As I've aged, my body doesn't seem to tolerate those heat indexes near or over 100 degrees F very well.  The result is that I pretty much stay inside.  Wasted days, in my book.  At my age, I really don't have any days that I want to waste.

Menchville Marina, Newport News, Virginia (click to enlarge)

That said, as far as I'm concerned, today August 31st, is the last day of summer.  I know it isn't the last day meteorologically speaking, but the beginning of September has always been the first day of fall to me.  Kids go back to school, family vacations are over and it seems everyone's attitude shifts a bit.  So, with fall (weather) soon arriving, I have something to which to look forward.  Yes, there is the fall color.  But there are other changes I enjoy as well.

Sparks Lane, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee (click to enlarge)

For instance, I love those cool fall mornings when the cooler air over warm water produces foggy conditions.  Here in southeastern Virginia we have an abundance of water and places to photograph when it is foggy.  In other parts of the country, fog settles in the low lands on like days.

Bison, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming (click to enlarge)

With the change in seasons and weather patterns the humidity levels drop.  Instead of the  dreadful SE circulation that brings that hot, humid air up from the Gulf of Mexico we get the cooler, dryer air coming from the northwest.  The leaves slowly start to lose their green and show their true colors and it is as tough nature takes a deep, cleansing breath, shaking off its summer doldrums before the long, cold winter sets in.  I welcome everything there is about the fall season.

 Viewing stand, Pikes Peak, Colorado (click to enlarge)

Fall color is nice.  We shoot it every year.  However, don't forget other aspects of the fall season such as the morning fog,  Don't be narrow minded about your photography.  Expand your vision and think about new possibilities.

Join me over at my website, https://www.dennismook.com.  

Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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