Bring on The Fall

Matt Dirksen
Aug 25, 2017 · 3 min read

While the different seasons all bring about different changes in colors and wildlife behaviors, fall might be one of my favorite times of the year. Spring brings us babies, lush greens and some early wildflowers to adore. Little bear cubs, fox kits, fawns and moose calfs begin their journeys through the wild west as they learn to live in a big new world. But, fall shows us how much they’ve grown and adds a splash of vibrancy to the scene. The scenery fills with autumn hues while the valleys, meadows and forests fill with the sounds of the rut. With that said, I love the fall.

Crisp morning air, golden aspens, & the sounds of bugling elk fill the valleys as they gather their harems. The rut is on. Bull moose and elk can be found sharpening up their antlers as they shed their velvet and pursue mates. Elk will gather in the valleys during the evenings through the morning as bulls compete for harems of cows. The bull that wins out the battles, and likely spends the most time on its feet keeping cows from straying, has won the harem and the right to breed. That won’t keep a few younger bulls from thinking that they might have a chance!

Trees and foliage shift into amber and golden hues. Aspen gold send flocks of tourist west to Colorado to photograph their splendor and pack iconic places like the Maroon Bells with dozens hoping to get their best shot.

I spend last year in the Tetons during the late part of the fall color season. I came away with some very rewarding imagery of one of my favorite places to be. To me, the views, the wildlife and the experience that comes from just being in Grand Teton is second to none.

For more of my work or to order prints visit my website at dirksenphoto.com.

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Matt Dirksen

Written by

Colorado Rockies Team Photographer | Wildlife & Landscape Photographer

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