Coco’s idea is to soak up as much sun as possible before the snow comes.  She’s got it figured out. 

My idea is to enjoy the colors and the last of the warmth as much as possible, keeping perspective as I have to clean up fall’s mess 😊 

Some of the trees are slow to get started, but whether here or in town, when the trees reach their luminous peak they scream for attention, overwhelming us onlookers with their saturation of color.

Not all the colors are from maples.  There are willows, cottonwoods, birch and ash.  There is a deciduous conifer here, larch, but I couldn’t capture the depth of color as they turn gold high up on the peaks of the Bitterroot.  Going out into the wild to enjoy the show has fringe benefits – like seeing moose!  And, though common, seeing deer, geese, mallards and kingfishers up and down the river are still a treat!

Each season has its pros and cons.  The trick is to enjoy the best each has to offer, forgiving them for their hot, cold or messy quirks, and embrace them before they move on. It will be a year before you see them again!