“Fall in Alaska is a brief, intense, and deeply atmospheric season--a blend of vivid landscapes, wildlife, and a quiet invitation to be present.”

From A Personal Narrative: Fall in Alaska by K. C. Miller

Fall in the Midwest gradually supplants summer. Shortening days, cooling temperatures, and the transformation to vibrant fall colors slowly prepare us for winter. In Alaska, fall arrives almost overnight.

Mary Jacquel, from Juneau, Alaska eloquently sums up the season: …”swift, certain, and unafraid to change the landscape with its touch. One moment, the trees hold onto the fullness of summer; the next, fog clings to the evergreens and the air tastes of woodsmoke and damp moss. This is not the long, drawn-out fall of other places. Alaska’s autumn is brief, powerful, and grounding. It asks us to stop rushing, to step outside, and to pay attention.”

My fall visit to Alaska in 2025 was a highlight of my photographic adventures. It imbued me with a profound sense of being present in the moment. Dwelling on the past and worrying about the future faded away in the magic of Alaska’s fog, stillness, colors, and cool air.

The Shot

A year ago on September 16, I boarded a doors-off helicopter near the town of Sutton for a ride into the remote interior.

We passed over breathtaking scenery in route to a known photo location.

After landing, I sent up my drone to visualize more of the stream leading to the glacier in the distance. Once the good light faded, I recalled the drone and simply enjoyed being in the moment with the pilot and my two fellow photographers.

Thanks for looking,

Chuck Derus