THE TIME OF LOVELY, stunning days in Minnesota is fleeting, moving from autumn toward winter. Those of us who live here understand that. And we appreciate each day that brings sunshine, warmth and no precipitation, especially snow.
With that mindset, it’s as if we can’t get enough of the outdoors. Raking leaves, clearing flowerbeds and other pre-winter activities fill our days. As do walks in the woods or drives to see the fall colors, which are nearly gone now except in portions of southern Minnesota.
Last Sunday afternoon, I slung my camera across my shoulder and joined my husband on a walk through Faribault’s River Bend Nature Center. We had about a half hour to hike before an afternoon obligation would draw us indoors.
I am not, by craft, a nature photographer. But I am an observer and a detail-oriented person. Put a camera in my hands and I begin to view my surroundings with even more detail. That’s one of the things I love about photography.
Through the lens of my camera, I notice the play of light, degrees of color or lack thereof, curves and lines and shapes.
Autumn is, if anything, a season when color fades, when muted earth tones prevail.
Except for the occasional flare of fiery red-orange maples and oaks. And the blazing yellow.
I love the cobalt blue skies of this season. While that hue was absent on the afternoon of my walk, I still tilted my head up to a canopy of clinging leaves.
I also aimed my eyes and camera lens horizontally to appreciate plants drying. Cattails dry to a cottony fluff. Milkweed pods burst with the promise of next year’s growth.
The seasons cycle. And as they do, I observe. I notice. I photograph.
BONUS PHOTOS:
TELL ME: What’s your favorite fall activity? What do you appreciate about autumn?
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
These are spectacular photographs, Audrey! The colors are gorgeous. We are not that far along yet – just a few reds and yellows coming out. I love walking the woodlands and cross-country hiking the area west of here this time of year. It’s more passable for hikes now that some of the tall weeds are coming down.
Thank you, Lori. I imagine you’re outdoors the majority of the time any season.
Fall is the perfect time for photography, isn’ t it? We are hoping to go on the blue Ridge Parkway this weekend and snap some shots of the beautiful fall colors in the mountains.
And I expect a full blog report with splendid, colorful images.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Greg.
I like the low tempetures, it usually gives a second chance to be outside before winter kicks in. I love building a fire to keep warm by.
I like the lower temps, too, and a campfire. We just had one in our backyard last weekend. My husband grilled burgers. I topped mine with peanut butter, berry jam, bacon and pepperjack cheese. Yum.
I love the autumn season, definitely my favorite time of the year, thanks for the pictures! I miss the smell of leaf piles burning and the aroma of fall which is in the air with harvesting and such. In the early fall around the beginning of September we have a mass migration of geese, ducks and swans which number in the thousands. There is a nature preserve of a couple thousand acres (it used to be a dairy farm back in the 40’s) that the state spreads seeds in to attract the migrating birds and thus keep them away from the airports (airplanes and birds are not a good mix) and we enjoy our times there. But unfortunately this time passes much too quickly. Looking out my window this morning I see that S word falling and adding to the amount that has already fallen. I told my wife last weekend that we should get the snow tires put on and avoid the rush. But alas now this weekend well now we will be in line with all the others ………….
I do not envy you already enveloped in the S word.
That was interesting to read ab out the spreading of seed to keep the birds away from the airport.
More beautiful pictures. I love the colors and the crispness in the air.
Two of my favorite things about autumn also.
Thanks for sharing the Fall Colors – love it 🙂
You are most welcome, Renee.
Well you already know my favorite season is autumn with all those photos I take. You certainly have a”good eye” for detail and the small things. Thanks for sharing your talents with your readers and making us think more about the simpler things in life to appreciate.
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You are welcome.