First week in October should be fine. Do yourself a favor, get up very early, way before the sun is up and have a plan. Scout the area the day before to figure out what you want. One of my favorite spots is the Windows if you can get there very early. There is a spot on the other side of the windows (yes a little hiking) that gives you a spectacular shot through the window to Turret Arch which gets the first light of the morning sun. No matter what you do, it is spectacular location and you will have a good time. Enjoy!

Couldn't agree more. My scientific knowledge comes from daily/yearly/lifetime observation. And, every once in a while, some comparative images. Living in the mountains at 9500 ft is very telling. Snow is coming later and stopping earlier. Last year we had less than 50% of normal snowfall. The monsoons this year have been noticeably absent in August. March used to be our biggest snowfall month of the year. In the past 3 years it has gone downhill quickly. The ski business is shrinking due to leaner years. Instead of opening up at Thanksgiving, my prognostication is that mid December will be the norm going forward. It's a tough FACT to face, but I don't think we have a choice. Climate change is real and not going away.

Two photos taken from the same spot. The first shows an "old normal" scene. The second is today, the "new normal." Unfortunately I am afraid this smoky atmosphere is going to hang around for years. I don't see the outbreak of fires in the Western States to subside and go away. Especially without some heavy rains to clean it up.

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Great images, as usual. I think we all really appreciate your work. Question. What scanner did you use?

They work. But at some point the battery will run out and you will have to buy the whole thing again. BTW, Last Location is the same as current location.

"... enjoy vision in the fourth dimension. Being an old psychedelic relic..."

Hello TGanner,

I can't tell you how enlightened it was to read your story. Being an old psychedelic relic myself, your story kept me enthralled. Then again, I just had surgery in my right (dominant) eye for Retinal Detachment. I could totally relate. Also, as I live at 9500 ft. in the mountains, they could not use gas but had to use an oil substance. Gas may have exploded at this altitude ( such a nice visual). The Doctor tells me at some point it may have to be surgically removed. My surgery was two months ago. I am starting to see form but from a long distance cannot make out detail. At my last check-up (last Monday) they said I was seeing better (could read the E and next level down) and that the successful surgery was healing well. I have always been told it would be months to heal and that I would never again see good but might be able to see enough with glasses to maybe read. I am 71 and have had to learn over the years to adjust to "more birthdays," but the loss of sight in one eye has been more difficult than some of my other "ailments."

I can still hold a camera and mount it on a tripod. I am very thankful my left eye is 20/15 so I can still see the beautiful mountains around me and if learning to look through the viewfinder with my left eye is my only issue, then, like you, I will "...continue to count my blessings, and enjoy and experience the beauty and love that surrounds me." Thank you again for your story. I would highly recommend it as very uplifting for anyone else who has this ailment. Best Regards, Neil

Very nice shots. Reminds me of many camping trips. Great capture!

Thank you very much. I just went on-line with B&H and purchased it. This has been in the back of my mind since I lost an older version. Thanks again!

Also look at Fuji mirrorless cameras, especially the ones with 4000 Video capability.

Thank you all for your kind comments. Many of you commented on the great colors. The glory for the spectacular colors is certainly not mine. However when living in this magnificent back yard, it is very easy to capture natures gifts of beauty when the perfect atmospherics are present. The San Juan Mountains in Southwest Colorado provide for some of the best Fall foliage anywhere. If you are interested, the best time is the last week in September through the first week in October. Would love to see some of the UHH members come visit. Neil

Hi BHC. If you are 76 you should have full Medicare coverage. A detached Retina is fully covered with Medicare. I know because I recently had the surgery. Also, it sounds like your retina in the left eye is not completely detached. GET IT FIXED! Take it from someone who possibly could have caught mine at an earlier stage and maybe I wouldn't be blind in that eye now. Good luck.

Very sorry to hear about your sight. I recently had surgery for a detached retina in my right eye (dominant eye). Lost entire sight out of that eye but after the surgery it is coming back very slowly. Doctor said it would be months before I might have partial sight again but will never have full sight. Fortunately, my left eye is 20/15 so I can see. As photography is my passion, it has been a disappointment. However I am learning to take pictures using my left eye but the real bummer is working on the computer. It is difficult and I am playing around with different strength readers. Getting older sucks but can't do a damn thing about it. So, we adjust, go on with a smile and continue with our photographic passion. And share that passion with my friends on UHH. Best of luck and keep that smile going. Neil

Cool wind is blowing and can't help but think about Autumn in the San Juans

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Whitewall. I have used others but settled with them because in my opinion, their product is the best.

Great shots!