There’s a special show being put on by nature right now in Mount Rainier National Park. The fiery reds, golds and burgundies are setting the meadow trails at Paradise ablaze with color. I feel privileged to be able to set eyes upon this seasonal spectacle each year. I’ve been watching and waiting for just the right moment to make the trip to the park to bathe my eyes in such a magnificence of autumn palette color. It puts new meaning to the old cliché, “a sight for sore eyes.” Yesterday was that day!
Normally, the autumn color at the Paradise meadows would take a few more weeks to reach their prime, but this year has been anything but normal. With so many days and weeks of clear, dry weather, night temperatures have been able to dip down far enough to bring about the change in colors. The huckleberry bushes that cover the meadows steal the show with their varying shades of red. Colorful vine maples cover steep, rocky slopes as well. I strongly encourage anyone within driving distance of the park to check out this spectacle of nature. Unfortunately, our never-ending dry spell is about to come to an abrupt halt. Our rains will be returning in a few days and will be hanging around for some time. But, if a trip is not possible, here are a few samples of what one could be experiencing.
All images property of Peggy A Thompson
northwestphotos 
You have done it again. You are really specially gifted.
Thank you for the accolades, Hanshi Kaufman!
Fabulous collection!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wish I had been there with you!
Thank you! I am just so glad that I went up there yesterday. The rains are about to return finally. I know that you, for one, have been praying for rain for some time to make all the fires die down. I have felt so bad for all those east of the Cascades who have been enduring the weeks of smoke-filled air and unhealthy breathing conditions. Many thanks to all the hard working fire fighters!
Best of luck with your new book! You do such wonderful work!
The shots look gorgeous! Thanks for posting!
Thank you! I wish everyone had the opportunity to see the great color show that Mount Rainier National Park puts on each year!
Beautiful!
Thank you! I just updated my blog post and added a link to a photo show I just made with music that has lots of photos I took in the park that day.
Totally breathtaking beauty up there in them hills! Great images. Thanks for sharing the splendor.
Thank you so much! Yes, lots of splendor up there!
Gorgeous country – Beautiful photography!
Thank you! Mount Rainier National Park has seasonal beauty all year round.