The fall transition gets underway

I mowed the lawn this evening for likely the last time during 2009.   That’s right, the near weekly yard chores once necessary throughout the summer months are quickly winding down and will soon be history.   No more flowers or landscaping to water.   No more vegetable garden to weed (psst…I didn’t do a very good job with this task, anyway).   In fact, I’ve started making all the necessary preparations for when the freezing, cold weather hits and decides to stay with us permanently for the next several months.

Nope, all you have to do is take a quick look around to see the big transition in nature is well underway.   Leaves starting to turn, a hint of frost occasionally coating the early morning grass just before the sun rises — in general, there’s just a peculiar look about fall that stokes my inner engine prompting me to get outside enjoying my favorite time of the year.

This past weekend I primed the pump, so to speak, by taking the family up to the North Shore/Gunflint Trail for one last get-away.   It was one of those “staycations” we had planned months ago hoping to time our visit concurrently with the peak of the leaf colors.   As it turned out, we were about a week or so early for prime colors…but even so, the landscape was magnificent with burgeoning colors found in many scenic areas.

Of course, for me another telltale sign of fall is seeing the farmers begin the harvest season.   Here in southeastern Minnesota the corn is quickly transforming from a summer-long growing phase to that of a drying state.   Same thing with the soybeans and other crops.   In fact, in my area farmers are already in the fields combining those soybean varieties with an early maturity.   Indeed, the next 45 days of fall will usher in lots of changes to the landscape in all areas of Minnesota’s agricultural zone.

Wildlife happens to be in transition, too.   Whitetail bucks, prompted by the shortening day length and cooler temps, will begin heading into various phases of the rut.   Other animal species begin packing away the food or dispersing their family units.   Throughout nature the fall season represents a busy and exciting period of change.

Even our lakes undergo a fall transformation known as “turnover.”   Soon, lakes throughout Minnesota will experience this annual phenomenon where the water stratifies caused by a cooling surface water temperature.   The effect can temporarily disrupt much of the lake’s ecosystem until the water stabilizes once again.

As you can see, observing the many facets of nature transitioning from summer into fall can make for an interesting time of the year to most outdoor enthusiasts.   I contend that for many of us the primal urge to go hunting or “food gathering” is also a basic characteristic of this seasonal time period.

Besides, the lawn mower has seen enough of me riding on it for 2 1/2 hours each week cutting the grass during the summer.   It’s time to go hunting and thus enjoying the best season of what nature has to offer.   Believe me, substituting a shotgun for the lawn mower is one transition I personally will gladly make.