End of October and the fall colors along the southern shore of lake Michigan are pretty much at their peak. Today was also the first day it really felt like Autumn, with a little touch of chill in the air. Overcast skies following a couple days of rain, a recipe for intense and saturated colors. It was a great day to be out of doors, enjoying nature. Of course any day, any time of year in any weather makes for a great day to be out of doors in nature. The world is just kind of a beautiful place like that.
This is the first of three posts about my new favorite trail in the Indiana Dunes National Park.
Leaves, in all their brilliant saturated glory. They have been pretty much stealing the show for the last couple weeks, and will continue to do so for another couple weeks.
Although leaves are all over the place, they are far from the only source of color. These yellow-orange fungi can be found year round, but they really show well this time of year.
The view from atop the Dune Ridge, looking down on an abandoned stretch of Beverly drive that serves as a nice trail through a marsh which is in the process of being reclaimed from past residential use.
Individual leaves are always a fascinating subject to photograph, but especially this time of year.
Brilliant shades of red and yellow. These Sumac leaves appear as if they have been hung out to dry.
The layers and layers of leaves carpeting the ground are simply mesmerizing. Here we see a lone leak sporting subtle shades of yellow and green, contrasting with the predominant browns and rust oranges. A few bright green blades of grass complete the scene.
Looking down into the edge of the forrest where it gives way to the marsh below.
Kinda looks like that acorn nut is sticking its tongue out at me for taking its photograph.
The view looking down one of the trails which runs along the Dune Ridge. The sheer amount of detail and color present along the trails is beautiful to see, but challenging to photograph well. The group of trees all leaning to the right across the trail help give the eye something to follow.
Pine cone atop a bed of pine needles.
I am treading each leg of what I consider a distinct three part trail separately. This was the first leg which begins at the Kemil Beach parking lot. Two other posts describe the second (Beverly Shores) and third (Beverly Drive) legs of this wonderful hike.