In Pursuit of Autumn Colours In Korea 2011

 Capture the silvery, delicate beauty of  eulalia or pampas grass ( Haneul Park in Seoul. /Newsis)  

Stunning maple reds are expected to be in full display between 18th and  20th October in Seoraksan. Brace yourselves for crowded trails and be prepared to share the beautiful scenery with hordes of visitors and wait in line to snap photos of your loved ones posing beside a particularly pretty tree.

The trees in Yeouido in Seoul are already changing colour also.

Fall foliage is expected to peak around 22nd of October.

Check out the photos of Korea's autumn colours on this blog for some inspiration.

Some hints from an amateur for great shots:

1. Go early to avoid heads intruding into your photos.

2. Head for the temples in the national and provincial parks.

3. Balance close-ups and wide-angle shots.

sources:

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/10/11/2011101100390.html

http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/10/03/2011100300354.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2011/10/115_96329.html
http://www.pbase.com/dbh/autumn

Autumn Leaves in South Korea - ETA for 2011

Make your date with the autumn leaves in Korea in October - but look sharp. The season, as I've suspected, is getting shorter and more elusive. See the KBS news article below:

from 2010's autumn foliage schedule posted on the KTO website

From the KBS news website:
"Autumn foliage will appear later than usual this year and the beautiful colors of the changing leaves won't last as long. The Korea Meteorological Administration forecasts that leaves are expected to change color first at Mount Seorak around October third and at Mount Jiri around the 13th. The foilage at Mount Bukhan will begin to turn red around the 19th. These dates are three to four days later than average.

But the crimson foliage is expected to reach its peak faster this year, from mid-October in the central region and late October in the south. The weather agency says higher than normal temperatures through mid-September will push back the start of the turning of the leaves but as temps go down from later this month, the changing of colors will pick up speed."


Same news from Arirang:
"Autumn is here in Korea and you can see the leaves turning a beautiful red at Mt. Seorak starting October 3rd.The Korea Meteorological Administration says the fall foliage will move through late October peaking two weeks after the first showing. High temperatures this month have delayed start of the changing colors compared to an average year by about one to six days depending on the region."

Click here for a comparison with 2010 and with 2009.  Am waiting for the official schedule published by KTO and will post here ASAP for fall foliage hunters.

Sources:

http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/news/news_Sc_detail.htm?No=84575&id=Sc
http://www.arirang.co.kr/News/News_View.asp?nseq=120474&code=Ne2&category=2

Good News And Bad For Seoul Sweepers

First the good news for Seoul sweepers - you can take a break and not bother about raking the leaves on 74 streets in Seoul. According to the Korea Times, the Seoul City council has decreed that you must leave the leaves alone for the viewing pleasure of tourists and avid photographers and the tactile delight of curious children who love to romp among and scatter the piles of autumn leaves.

And now the bad news: you can start sweeping them up again by mid-November. Goodness knows if you'll be knee-deep in gingko or maple leaves by then. Let's also hope there won't be rain for the next two weeks as it's no fun sweeping soggy, rotting leaves.

Check out: One Man's Photo Opportunity is Another's Dreaded Labour

sources:

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/11/203_75753.html
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2010/11/153_75775.html