The Flux of Fall

Dawn, September 22 brought low clouds and stinging rain, driven by 40 degree west wind. Clouds shrouded the mountains most of the morning, hiding the subtle change, unbeknownst to us all, until the afternoon magic hour. There it was--termination dust, to signal the end of summer, as Alaskans know it.

With the fluctuation came snow blanketing the higher elevations of the Chugach Range and a breakout of feverish yellow on all the trees. The rotting smell of leaves stuck in the newly churned mud, pervading the air and giving us an olfactory sign that snow will soon arrive at sea level.

September 23rd was the first day of full fall, with a low in the 30's, scattered clouds and deep blue sky in the gaps. In honor of the rite of fall, we took Elsa to the dog park and tried to capture some of the more striking images around Anchorage this fall. Enjoy.

Leaves fallen onto the surface of University Lake

Elsa and I on the way to the trail on the Eastern boundary of the park

Just outside the soccer fields at the park, and part of the cyclocross course two weeks ago--a sort of hallway of fall

A crossroads trail above the park

Carrie's shot across the top of the park and into the Chugach Range, capturing the new snow

The soccer fields below and the mountains in the distance

A Southeasterly view of the lake and mountains from one of our favorite photo spots in any season

The dusk tinted sky above our house at about 8 p.m., pork chops on the grill and OctoberFest in hand