Winter's near, but autumn colors glow in Tucson

Winter is less than two weeks away, but this is the peak of urban autumn in Tucson — with many trees in city parks and along watercourses glowing with the hues of fall.

It’s a last colorful hurrah of the season, which usually hits its high point in forested mountain ranges around the city in October.

Cottonwoods are stars of the show at many sites around the valley, but other deciduous trees add accents of yellow and reddish leaves here and there.

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Here are some places to see autumn color in mid-December:

• Fort Lowell Park at North Craycroft Road and East Glenn Street. Trees in the park show dazzling golden hues at this time of year.
• Several sites along the Rillito River.
• Tanque Verde Creek east of Craycroft Road and east of Sabino Canyon Road.
• Brandi Fenton Park along River Road near Alvernon Way.

Photo tip: Try backlighting autumn leaves to make the colors really pop. That involves arranging the shot so that sunlight comes from behind the leaves toward your camera.