Fall colors reveal patterns in vegetation and patterns in geomorphology along the upper Noatak River. The green areas are willows growing in gravels along current and paleo creek channels. The bright yellows are sedge communities growing in poorly drained clays, probably underlain by permafrost. The brown areas are grasses, growing in drier bottom areas. The orange and deep red are dwarf birch and blueberry respectively, and grow in well drained sites that are protected from the winds. The side streams are Iyahuna Creek (closer) and Angayu Creek (back). Gates of the Arctic National Park, Brooks Range, Alaska. August 2005