Autumn brings a calm excitement as nature’s monotonous greens give way to fresh buttery yellows, rosy reds and toasted bronzes.
New and old pigments gladly color the world, some simply unveiled as greens fade one last time. Other shades are manufactured anew, filling in where green left space. Sometimes new dyes compete, too, giving shades never imagined in pinks, dark purples, light limes and ghost whites.
All parts were green to grow, then apples ripened red, bittersweet opened orange, grapes blushed purple, poison ivy warned white, and winterberries conflicted, and complimented, coming snows.
Nature’s quiet fireworks bring many varied oohs and ahhs, influenced by moisture, day-length, temperature, and frost. The biochemistry need not be completely understood to enjoy.
Reported lows, not enough to freeze most living vegetation, has no respect for reports and found lowlands’ dense air dipping to frost-fringe dried leaves and some living plant parts.
But it is still a spectral that changes moods, motivations, and appetites engaging gathering by dozens of approaches. Hunting upland game birds. Digging ginseng. Photographing deadly amanita. Casting flies. Putting ax and wedge to wood. De-steming gardens. Gathering tinder. Eating fruit pie. Picking walnuts. Fermenting grapes.
Some regulated activities require licenses and are reported weekly on http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/wildlifehabitat/harvest/deerharvest.html. Watch updates on deer registrations, here.
In and out-state grouse hunters are mostly holding ready to hear news that may suggest putting the gun away and taking Zelda to a game farm, but reasons pile to do the opposite, the real thing.
Some reports are warming to seeing a few birds, even coveys of 4-6, as noted by Missouri wildlife trappers who reached their goal of 100 ruffed grouse, half males, and half females, in trade for habitat work in Wisconsin. They’ll return in 2019 and 2020.
Brood count data was inconclusive but one could read it as being about like last year, certainly no worse. Grouse sampling kits need to be used to gather evidence. Lastly, at least take Todd’s advice from his Delta Diner in Bayfield County, who ended his response with, “regardless, it is going to be a beautiful fall chasing grouse in the north woods.”
The fish’s name will interest anglers and conservationists knowing that a team of four retired DNR fisheries folks, with necessary permits and approvals, released dozens of starhead topminnows above the dam in Prairie du Sac to try to reverse the population trend of this tiny, endangered fish. Alliant Energy supported the effort with mitigation funds.
The common name, starhead topminnow, is self-explanatory.
Corn, and soon soybean, harvesting is making wildlife viewing and some gathering more likely. Take advantage of these many opportunities to see, possibly hunt, squirrels, deer, turkeys, geese, and several others. Otherwise simply ride the rural roads and begin leaf peeking and deer seeking.
Evergreens particularly, may need protection from rubbing antlers but it need not be worrisome seeing older pine needles beginning to yellow. This is normal and the tree should remain mostly evergreen.
Some positive nut news suggests many more acorns than thought, still very spotty hickory nutting, and more abundant walnuts. Impatient squirrels are cutting red oak twigs, and then going to the ground to eat the acorns.
Autumn activities need no further inspiration. Calming colors have done their job.
— Jerry Davis is an Argyle native and a freelance writer who lives in Barneveld. He can be reached at sivadjam@mhtc.net or at 608-924-1112.
