With the promise of autumn sunshine, I headed out before dawn in search of some fall color. Gradually the changing colors have found their way down to the Twin Cities, and the landscape has become beautiful and filled with the rich colors of autumn. This morning was cold enough to provide frost in many areas giving an almost-white coating over the grass. The smell in the air is different as the seasons change and it was delightful to greet the day outside on this crisp and clear morning.
Minnesota
A revisit to Hidden Falls
As the calendar moves further into autumn, so too our seasons and landscape. Leaves are turning and cascading to the ground. The smell in the air is much different now. And people and animals are scurrying to get ready for winter. Yesterday we stopped at Nerstrand Big Woods State Park near the central part of Minnesota. I had been there earlier in June when the water was rushing over Hidden Falls, but yesterday was much different. The greens of spring had been replaced with the browns and golds of fall, with leaves scattered all around. Prairie Creek was but a shadow of its spring profile, with only a small amount of water cascading over the rocks. Even the sounds of the water, the trees, and the animals are quieter as the seasons shift gears.
An unexpected summer’s day
The calendar says the end of September, but we were treated to the glory of a summer’s day with temperatures n the 80’s and warm sunshine. Knowing that these are gifts to take advantage of, we headed out for some fishing. Not only were the skies beautiful, but the fall colors are starting to be evident. The golds are showing and the greens are becoming much more faded and muted. Even the fishing seemed to rise to the occasion of this glorious day – we got our share of sunfish and crappies. I came home knowing that if this is the last time we are fishing for the year, at least we had a glorious finale on a late day in September.
After the rainstorm
Yesterday dawned as a beautiful day – sunny and warm, with almost a feel of summer’s return. But late in the afternoon a front moved through, changing our blue skies to dark with rain and strong winds that moved across the area rapidly. After the storm, the sun returned and we opted to go to the University of Minnesota Gopher women’s soccer match. As we walked to the stadium, I looked to the east where the soon-to-be-setting sun was illuminating the storm clouds that had moved through our area. The golden sweep of the clouds was contrasted with the cool blue of the clearing sky, reminding me of the beauty of nature and also the quickness with which it can change.
Hollyhocks
Summer seemed to come to an abrupt end this past week as our temperatures slid into the upper 30’s at night and the 50’s during the daytime. Autumn will soon grace the Minnesota landscape with its oranges, reds, and golds. I was in our backyard this morning as the sun made its way above the trees and backlit this lovely white hollyhock. The greens and the whites reminded me of summer. The long stems of the hollyhocks were blowing in the cool breeze, yet the colors had me focused on the warmth of the summer sun. We may have some days of late summer left, but I know that all-too-soon we’ll be passing into autumn and winter, each with its own special colors and characteristics.
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