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Aspen and Fir, Fall Colors
Upper Laramie River, Colorado
This photograph was made in the upper Laramie River basin in northern Colorado. The aspen were in full autumn color, with a clear blue sky and sun serving as the backdrop.
Aspen trees are intolerant of shade. They need full sunlight in order to survive. For this reason, they have adapted to quickly establish themselves wherever there is a disturbance such as fire or avalanche.
Fir trees, such as the subalpine fir in this photo, are much more tolerant of shade. As this one is doing, they have the ability to slowly grow underneath other trees, eventually becoming big and tall enough to overtop them and shade them out, given enough time.
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