Autumn colours in the South Okanagan

The autumn colours are normally my favourite time of the year to photograph and depending on where you are, October is normally peak. Here in the South Okanagan we don’t get the flaming reds and orange of the sugar maples, but there’s a kaleidoscope of colours — even if yellow dominates. Grasslands come together with orchards and vineyards and nature blends into agriculture. I only really had a chance to get out one weekend, on the 13th, but it was a good one. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Vineyards cover the South Okanagan making the antelope brush and sagebrush dry vegetation in the foreground more scarce. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Autumn in the orchards north of Osoyoos glows golden on a sunny day. Green glass and blue sky add to the palette. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Grapes for red wine ripen on the vines in a vineyard north of Osoyoos in October. The leaves haven’t yet changed to their full autumn colours. (Richard McGuire photo)

The Okanagan River passes the Oxbows in a channel and empties into the north end of Osoyoos Lake. Vineyards are turning yellow. (Richard McGuire photo)

Plants leave squggly reflections in a small lake’s water, which is yellow with autumn reflections. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Golden aspen leaves are backlit in a forest on Kruger Mountain Road.

A cyclist enjoys an autumn ride through pines and aspens to the sagebrush landscape near Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire photo)

Golden aspens and arid hills surround Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Golden aspens and arid hills surround Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Golden aspens and arid hills surround Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire Photo)

Rosehips next to Kilpoola Lake add some bright red to the colourful autumn landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The waters of Kilpoola Lake add some blue to the arid autumn landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The waters of Kilpoola Lake add some blue to the arid autumn landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

A cluster of golden aspens zigzags up a slope from a small pond west of Kilpoola Lake. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

The South Okanagan Grasslands Protected Area and the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Area offer spectacular and ever-changing vistas of this unique grasslands landscape. (Richard McGuire Photo)

I managed to find time Saturday for a drive to one of my favourite spots outside Osoyoos. Autumn at golden hour. A great time if the weather cooperates. (©) Richard McGuire photo)

The last glow of golden hour strikes the trees and wetlands vegetation at Blue Lake, west of Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire Photo)