Stream reflections have become one of my favorite compositions.  I enjoy the deep colors that appear on the water and rocks at different times of the year and there is a pleasing element of unpredictability.  Because I use a long exposure there is no way to know what will end up on the film.  The results are often surprising and magical.   

Shortly after my trip to Utah in October 2001 I returned to Oregon to seek out my home state's fall colors.  Oregon is not known for colorful displays but we do have vine maple trees that are similar to New England's maples but on a much smaller scale.  One day I was driving near Oregon's Santiam Pass and found a small stream with some trees nearby that made the water look as if it were on fire.  I tried several exposures but ran out of light very quickly that day.  

The next day I returned and found a couple next to the stream cutting the maple branches.  It turned out they were painters and were using the branches for art as well.  I persuaded them to leave my favorite tree alone so that I could try more photos.  Fortunately not many branches were removed.  I must confess to being shocked at the time that people were taking pruning shears to the tree responsible for creating the scene you see above--but of course they had no way of knowing.   

This print hangs in my home and those who see it are mesmerized by the reflections, which look like clouds at sunset.  After a while a few people notice that just under the water's surface are the muted shapes of a few maple leaves, providing a pleasing reminder of the tree that created the light.  These leaves gave me the idea to call the print "Whispers of Autumn".