Friday, October 15, 2010

The Meadows in Fall

Wednesday was a beautiful day.  I hadn't been for a walk in ages, so I decided to go over to the Gosnell Big Woods and Big Meadows.  Much to my surprise, I found that they had cut a new trail, since the last time I was there.  This trail is simply called "The Meadow Trail."  It travels through new woods and a very small meadow.  It's a pretty walk at this time of year, and I am looking forward to Spring, to see what kind of flowers show up.
Here are some views along the way.



See the cute little chipmunk, right about in the center of the picture?
You can tell a lot of work went into the creating of this trail.  It's still a little on the rough side, in places, but very well done, with nice, easy grades up the side of the one large hill.  From the top of that hill, you can see the brand new bridge that was put over a low spot.  I'll be curious to see if this is a stream, or just a wet spot, come Spring.


 The new trail lead right back to the Big Woods, and the Big Meadow.  So, I decided to walk the Big Meadow.  Fall colors were everywhere, even in the poison ivy along the side of the trail.
The meadow was very quiet.  Except, that is, for the blue jays that were everywhere.  Of course, they didn't settle down long enough for me to get a picture of them.  The Monarch butterflies were gone, but the Small White and Clouded Sulphur were still flitting around.   If you look right beside the brown leaf in this next picture, you will see one of the pretty yellow Sulphurs.
The old barn seems to fit right in with Fall.   It's not fresh and new any more, but it draws your eye with its color and the way it fits into its surroundings.
The apple tree is almost bare of fruit.  There is a well worn path underneath it now, where the deer have walked, eating the fallen fruit.  On the North side, a few apples still cling to the branches.

 There is still some Phlox in bloom.


But, the overwhelming sense I got from the meadow was a feeling of settling down, and settling in for the long Winter that lies ahead.  I'll leave you with some pictures of the meadow in Fall.





15 comments:

Liesl said...

Stunning pics! I love the bridge. You are lucky to have such beautifull trials to walk.
xoxo

My Mind's Eye said...

Oh Mom is so JEALOUS of your lovely new found trail. We so look forward to walking through it through your eyes this spring.
What a cute little chipmunk!!! Sometimes we have a pair in our back yard...but they are so hard to see. They move like lightening!!!
Mom has a ton of Fair picutres. She will be sorting through them and posting over the next few days.
Madi and Mom

Jacqueline Donnelly said...

Very nice indeed, with a gentle beauty that provides a peaceful place to walk. The woods should be a great wildflower site come spring, with lots of meadow blooms in summer.

Sharon said...

Oh, that chipmunk is so cute, I love those little guys! That barn makes a good subject for a painting and the bridge may be too, in the spring. Nice Autumn pictures!

Jim said...

Nice how things are quietening down this time of year. You captured this perfectly Louise. Thanks for the 'walk'.
Jim

Inger said...

Wonderful text and photos. You really captured the feeling of fall.

Upupaepops said...

what is growing on/in the silo??!?

Louise said...

I think that the vines growing on the silo are grape of some kind. I think that poison ivy, or virginia creeper would have turned color by now.

Judith said...

What a splendid walking track. Great pics!

Unknown said...

Your area looks very like parts of ours (South Suffolk, England). Gently fading colours, and a settling down for the winter kind of feeling. Let's hope for a not too extreme winter, and a reasonably early spring. Thanks for sharing your lovely countryside.

John Going Gently said...

you never keep still!!!!

Terry said...

How nice to have a new trail. I was going to ask what's growing on the silo - glad to see the question and the answer.

AJ-OAKS said...

That chipmunk is adorable. And that barn.....incredible!
Your package will be going out in Mondays mail. :)

barefootheart said...

What beautiful, peaceful scenes. I like the vines that have taken over the silo...I agree that Virginia Creeper would be red.

Anonymous said...

The best time to do the Big Meadow trail is in mid summer, July, when the wild flowers are abloom. Nice picture set.