Autumn Adventures

Autumn Adventures have begun...  Yesterday marked the first day of autumn, and the weather was glorious.  It also happened to fall on my birthday.  You couldn't have asked for a more picture perfect day!  

Even had a parade in honor of my birthday!

(Actually, Homecoming kicked off ) 

Took the day off today.  Extended birthday celebration...

Drove out to Jim Edgar Panther Creek Wildlife Area.

Surprised to see harvest has begun.

I don't remember harvest being this early in a long time!

"I was in the midst of a prairie!  A world of grass and flowers stretched around me, rising and falling in gentle undulations...What a new and wondrous world of beauty!  What a magnificent sight!...How shall I convey to you the idea of a prairie?"-Eliza Steel 

The Big Bluestem grass is gorgeous!  Up to 9ft tall.  I can't imagine traveling in a covered wagon across the prairie through grass this tall! 

Goldenrod in full bloom

 

   

Love the chartreuse color of the Rattlesnake Plant.

Purple Coneflower 

nearing the end of it's life, but still beautiful.

 White Indigo Plant pods

 Lovely Black Eyed Susan flowers in full bloom.

 Panther Creek Valley Scenic Overlook

Dogwood

Troy and I ended our morning adventure with a walk through Lincoln's New Salem Village.

 Tobacco plants

Take some time to see the beauty around you and have your own Autumn Adventure!