Nearly noon on Sunday along Second Avenue in Faribault, Minnesota.
IF I COULD TAKE A DAY and tuck it away for safekeeping, to pull out on the dreariest of bone-chilling Minnesota winter days, it would be yesterday.
Gorgeous fall colors in a maple tree along Fifth Street Northwest across from Trinity Lutheran Church.
Sunday here in southeastern Minnesota was gloriously beautiful as in blue skies and sunshine and warmth melding with the changing colors of the season.
Biking through River Bend Nature Center.
A walk in the woods. A drive in the country. Fishing at the King Mill Dam. Sunday was a day to be cherished.
A deep blue sky provides the backdrop for aged cottonwood trees in River Bend Nature Center, Faribault.
My mom told me a few weeks ago how much she loves this month of cobalt skies. I’ve always felt the same about the skies of autumn.
A leaf from the maple tree in my backyard.
And the hues of the leaves. Do I forget from year to year how lovely are the blazing oranges, the brilliant reds, the subtle browns? Or are the colors sharper, more vibrant, this year?
The sun blazes through cottonwoods in Teepee Tonka Park.
Really, it doesn’t matter. What matters is seeing, and appreciating, the blessedness of autumn.
BONUS PHOTOS:
A black-eyed susan adds a jolt of color to a road ditch at River Bend Nature Center.
Prairie grasses have dried to a muted brown at River Bend Nature Center.
© Copyright 2015 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I have been falling in love with fall this year. 🙂 I have yet to really have a chance to photograph much of the beauty around me but I am taking pictures in my mind. It is stunning in the mountains and I still can’t believe that I live amongst such beauty. Thank you for sharing all of the splendor of your area.
I’m sure it’s fun to experience the season in a new setting.
What gorgeous autumn colors you and your camera have captured. Growing up in Ohio I too remember those beautiful fall hues of orange, red, yellow and brown. While we get some beautiful autumn leaves, it doesn’t compare with those in cooler climates. I too have commented to hubby this past week of the October sky colors. Beautiful….
Oh, how you must miss those Ohio autumns. I can read it in your comment.
Yep sure do. Haven’t been that way in many many years. Want to go back sometime here soon.
[…] Autumn in Faribault (Minnesota Prairie […]
The skies were a flawless (“cobalt”) blue and we spent a bittersweet last day at our camper site. Visiting with friends who will return next summer to find a new “kid(s) in the neighborhood” in our spot. We quickly reminded them that we were’t turning in our front gate remotes and that they would be seeing our strange shadowy figures at future bonfires!!! LOL!!!! Asian beetles not-withstanding, it was a gorgeous, picture-perfect day!!!!!!
Ah, I can only imagine the bittersweet feeling. Shadowy figures, huh? Asian beetles “attacked” us, too, yesterday.
Boy, are we ever on the same page today! Beautiful photos, Audrey. I celebrated autumn at my blog, too. It was such a glorious weekend. Aren’t we lucky?
I’ll check out your post shortly. Great minds think alike…
It’s been a stunning autumn.
It was also a spectacular day to be in Saint Mary’s graveyard in rural Geneva listening to bagpipes in the wind. See http://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2015/10/the-art-of-the-obituary-the-grave-digger/
Oh, I read that story. A friend of yours?
He is the father-in-law of my wife’s niece. There was a huge crowd at the cemetery and everyone was welcome to lend a hand filling the grave. Afterwards there was a large party at Harmony Park with good food and good music. Tom (Digger) was the official mayor of the park.
What a great story.
Yesterday really was beautiful until that cold front and wind went through. Love your fall pictures. So peaceful!!!
Oh, yes, the cold front is horrible.
Stunning display of GOD’S amazingness!!! xxx
Amen.
Wasn’t Sunday the best, so amazing for almost the middle of October. Loving the “colors” right now. Love the Leaf photo!
Yes, it was the perfect day.
Beautiful and so lovely to see. The colour are stunning. We don’t get scenes like there here in Oz – most of the trees are evergreens xx
This is my favorite season, when the leaves change colors. You need to visit the Midwest U.S. sometime, make that trip to Wisconsin.