Too late for fall color photography?

Submitted by WalterBoudreaux t3_yet28h in pittsburgh

I’m an amateur drone photographer and wanted some fall colors in my collection. I had posted online a few weeks ago asking for advice on where I can fly in to capture some good stuff. One of the recs was “Pittsburgh, then drive to Deep Creek Lake MD or Terra Alta WV”

Anyone know if it’s too late in the year at this point to make the trip? Are all the colors gone / leaves fallen? If so, I can cancel my flight for a refund.

Would appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

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ballsonthewall t1_itzsca4 wrote

it's too late anywhere with elevation or north, not sure how things look south. I will say, in the city proper the urban heat island keeps things colorful for longer... so it might be a good weekend to go out and get some shots in the city. The Slopes and Mount Washington look beautiful.

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WalterBoudreaux OP t1_itzup7p wrote

What is the Slopes? Looks like Mount Washington is a neighborhood and park across the water from downtown Pittsburgh? No airspace restrictions there thankfully.

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ballsonthewall t1_itzwb54 wrote

The Slopes is my neighborhood, the collection of houses stuck to the hill above South Side!

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BmoresFnst t1_itzw1s5 wrote

Peak colors this week and last. St Mary Catholic Cemetery looked like it was on fire when I was driving yesterday. Leaves are now starting to really fall.

One of the most beautiful Falls I’ve had here in Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh lifers agreed with me. Usually we go from Summer to Winter with no colors.

If you’re leaving tomorrow, you’ll be catching the second half of the peak. Some trees might not be as full but the colors are still there.

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WalterBoudreaux OP t1_iu8nzx0 wrote

I just landed last night. Where around the city would you recommend I go? It looks like there’s a few “lookout” points where I can get the water + downtown and bridges,

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BmoresFnst t1_iu907e4 wrote

Tons of lookout points. Most well known is Mount Washington. Looks right over the point. Tons of photography on this subreddit. Check out some of their views as well. I personally love a nice stroll around Highland Park Reservoir. Schenley Park also has some beautiful overlooks on to Oakland with fall foliage.

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James19991 t1_itzt4up wrote

I would say the city is still pretty close to peak color, but I have definitely noticed a lot more leaf dropping in the last few days, so this weekend will be your last best bet to see good color in the city. In places like Deep Creek, I would imagine they're way past peak at this point.

This has been the coolest October we've had in this region in over a decade, so the colors came in a bit earlier than they have in recent years. .

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WalterBoudreaux OP t1_itzurra wrote

Okay I am scheduled to fly out tomorrow as of now.

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James19991 t1_itzxoud wrote

You should be ok in and around most of Allegheny County, but I would imagine outlying areas are definitely past peak.

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WestEndFlasher t1_itzypz8 wrote

oaks and hickory are still pretty colorful around me

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music-is-cool t1_itzqfcu wrote

I just came through Augusta WV over the weekend(about 1h45m south of us). And I can't stand the leafers in NY state but I'm happy to say the colors were beautiful. Pretty similar to the local colors rn. Though leaves are falling now... Mid October is best but you may still find some good shots. Good luck

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WalterBoudreaux OP t1_itzrpt1 wrote

Would have loved to go mid October, but had to travel for work last few weeks in a row. Even this potential trip for this weekend is being squeezed in after I’ve been in 3 different states in the last 5 days haha.

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