Fall Arrives in LetchworthAs Fall arrives in Upstate New York, the morning sunlight fills the canyons and waterfalls of Letchworth State Park

With Fall firmly entrenched here in the Finger Lakes, the colors have arrived that gloriously transform the hillsides and canyons into a rainbow forest as far as the eye can see.  As the days pass on, reds, yellows, and every color in between begin to fill in the trees, bringing an unseen depth to the countryside that reveals intricate layers often overlooked in the other seasons.  And just as soon as these new colors arrive, like the flash of a comet's tail, they too will pass on from this world.  Their short stay heralds the long march of winter to come, but for the moment, it's enough to bask in these changes and the awe accompanying them.

There are many wonderful places to look for the changing leaves, from the local hiking trails to the vineyards with grapes ready to harvest, but to me, there are two places more magical than all the rest.  The first is the simple walk down the tree lined sidewalks of a historic, small town street such as Corning's Gaffer District or downtown Hammondsport.  The second is the grandeur filled cascading waters of waterfall such as Buttermilk State Park or Letchworth State Park.

This photo was taken in the mid morning hours when the sun, having already illuminated the canyon walls, had already left parts of the walls in shadow.  I didn't mind.  It created a brilliant contrast between each side of the canyon and the waterfalls in the middle, framed in cool, blue light.

For more information on finding Fall colors in the area, check out Corning & the Southern Finger Lakes Fall Foliage report and for tips on where to photograph the Fall foliage, check out these tips from Corning & the Southern Finger Lakes.