Matthew Ginnow

Matthew Ginnow Matt Ginnow #mattginnow #matthewginnow                            

dusky desert

death valley national park

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Matt Ginnow Matthew Ginnow #mattginnow

When nature provides a perfect window into fall. 🍂🍁 

The cooler temperatures are back at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and the aspen trees understand the assignment. One of the most striking characteristics of the aspen is the beautiful splashes of fall color they add to the mountainsides. This magical color change starts in early September and can last into October.  

As the green leaves fade, yellow, orange, and red pigments appear, and sunny days and cool nights produce the most dramatic color spectrum. Aspen, the most widely distributed tree in North America, are one of the few deciduous trees hearty enough to survive in a harsh mountain environment. Aspen stands provide a variety of ecosystem services, including soil improvement, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, economic products (mainly pulp), landscape diversity, and perfect fall frames for photos of the Rocky Mountains.

Photo by Ranger Beach, NPS. Photo description: Yellow and orange aspen leaves perfectly frame evergreen trees and mountains in the distance.

Matthew Ginnow, Matt Ginnow

Saguaros reach their arms to the sky in this starlight silhouette at the Sonoran Desert National Monument in Arizona.

Just south of Phoenix, a captivating desert landscape protects these majestic cacti, which can take 100 years to start growing arms. If you’re in the area, make a day trip and be sure to stay after the sun goes down — the night sky viewing is some of the best in the United States.

Photo by Bob Wick, BLM. Photo description: Tall Saguaro cactus reach upwards towards the night sky. The sky is dark and filled with thousands of stars. 

Matt Ginnow

Matt Ginnow #mattginnow

A woman leans on the entrance to one of Bordighera’s gardens in Italy, 1928.Photograph by Hans Hildenbrand, National Geographic Creative