In Search of Fall Color with the Pentax K2

I had my Pentax K2 loaded up with Kodak Portra 400 color film early in October with big plans to capture the spectacular colors of fall in the Wine Country. There are some excellent hiking trails not far from where I live and wanted to head out after the first frost, get some fresh air, a bit of exercise and capture the changing leaves.

Mother Nature had other plans though. The early part of the month was warmer than usual, that frost never came. Then, around the third week, the humidity dropped into single digits, an ominous Diablo wind blew hard out of the Sierras and an aging PG&E transmission line sparked a wildfire that would scorch nearly 78,000 acres before firefighters heroically beat it down.

My Pentax K2, ready for fall colors that never came.

It was early November before the fire was completely under control and things began to return to normal. The overnight lows barely kissed the freezing mark by the time I got a free weekend to hike some trails up near Mt. St. Helena. The ground was covered with leaves…muted browns and grays. Some of the trees hadn't even turned yet. I decided to make the most of the day, searching for color wherever I could find it.

Manzanita trees are plentiful in Arizona. I was surprised to find a grove of them along this trail. I love their red trunks against the blue sky.

I came across this barn on the trail. I think there may have been an old homestead on this site.

As I write this, the fire season is officially over in California. The rains have begun with earnest and what little color remained on the trees has been washed to the ground. The rain will mean lots of new growth…new fuel for fires. I used to welcome October. Now, I sort of fear it.

I’ve started a serious effort to reduce my collection of old film cameras, selling or giving away duplicates or cameras I don’t use often. The Pentax K2 will stay. Since I have had it serviced and modified with a split image focus screen, it’s a camera I really enjoy using.