As 1993 was noted throughout Montana and Wyoming as the year without a summer, 2009 will pass into memory as the year without autumn. Record high temperatures and levels of smoke in September alternated with record lows, and in the end, the leaves throughout Greater Yellowstone were literally frozen to the trees. So here we are, nearing the end of October, and the leaves are still on the trees in colors that range from dull green to duller brown. No yellows, no golds, no glory. Because of the relatively moist summer and the warm temperatures in early September, we were all expecting a banner color year and Yellowstone did manage a bit of show in late September. During the Yellowstone Institute photography course, we did find color along the Clarks Fork; a few cottonwoods in the Lamar were heading in the right direction; the aspens in the Hoodoos actually qualified as brilliant. And then it was over before it really ever began. During the YI class, on the last Tuesday afternoon of September, we were photographing in the Lamar in 82 degrees and incredibly thick smoke which challenged both photography and breathing. The next morning at 9:00 am, we were at Roaring Mountain in a blizzard – and record lows ended any hope of better color next week. I was all set to leave for Zion and fall color this weekend but reports are that the color there is already peaking – at least two weeks early. Moral of the story . . . nature does what nature does and flexibility is the mantra for the month. Next week will find me photographing babies (yes, a human one!), setting up the new computer, and rethinking photography plans between now and Thanksgiving.