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.
Nerstrand Big Woods State Park
Morning light at Hidden Falls
I took the opportunity to venture out to one of the wonderful state parks we have in Minnesota. In the south-central part of the state is Nerstrand Big Woods Park. Along with the large trees and prairie that co-exist in this park, there is a wonderful waterfall, Hidden Falls. Prairie Creek meanders through the park and it tumbles over the layers of limestone at the falls. With the large amount of rain we’ve had recently, all our lakes are full and the falls are running with larger than normal volumes of water. And such was the case when I arrived at Hidden Falls. It was early in the morning and I was accompanied only by the birds in the woods and the sound of the rushing water. The overhead trees have come into full leaf and are green. This delicate tree branch seemed to contrast with the fury of the tumbling water behind it. The scene was complete with the early morning sunlight glistening off the falls.
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