Trail through the spring aspens

Late-lingering snow patches along the trail were a reminder that spring arrives slowly at this elevation — the aspens were only just leafing out in mid-May, weeks behind the valley floor below. The white bark practically glows against the still-bare canopy.

Getting the shot

An HDR blend at f/16 held sharp detail from the near tree trunks back through the depth of the grove, balancing the brighter sky glimpsed through the canopy against the shaded trail and snow below.