Cottonwoods In The Fall

Cottonwoods In The Fall. To a New Yorker used to the brilliant colors of autumn, the fall season in New Mexico can seem a bit underwhelming. First of all, you can drive for long stretches without seeing trees, and the species you do find do not change color. However, the humble cottonwood is the exception. Come fall, it displays a shimmering shade of yellow that is a delight to behold, especially when a deep blue New Mexico sky is the backdrop. They are usually found in ribbons of forest area that retain moisture such as the bosque that borders the Rio Grande. This beautiful cottonwood was photographed in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico during my first fall season there seven years ago. It was a spectacular and welcoming sight to this color deprived New Yorker!