"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."
— Nathaniel Hawthorne
Holy smokes! It's October.
Sue and I took another trip up to Paya Lake last weekend, hoping to catch early fall colors. With Wisconsin’s color map showing a 50-75% peak, we were optimistic. Meanwhile, here in Dane County, it seems like the season is taking a different turn. While it's still very green, leaves are going straight to brown. Even the maples that normally turn a vivid red have already lost about half their leaves, with little color to show for it. A cause might be the abundance of rain we got during part of the summer, followed by slight drought.
As I've written before, Sue's cabin is super nice. We took the pontoon boat out and checked out some of the other cabins on the lake—some are quite extravagant and look more like mansions. There's one in particular that's about the size of a mini-mall and must be worth a few million. Most, though, are quite diminutive, which is how I like a comfy northwoods cabin to be.
Colors around Paya ...
Nearby McCaslin Brook ...
Part of the Oconto River near Paya Lake ...
Since we didn't have as much time as our previous trip, we decided to make the 30-minute drive to Governor Thompson State Park. Located near the shores of Caldron Falls Reservoir, it offers visitors a pristine natural retreat with over 2,800 acres of forests, wetlands, scenic shoreline, and hiking trails. Neither of us had ever been there before, so we decided to check it out.
A good share of the drive along Bucks Ranch Road (National Forest Road 2101) held some dramatic displays of fall colors. Given the comparative lackluster colors here, we stopped several times to walk around and take photographs.
It was an unseasonably warm day and we decided not to do too much hiking. There were some opportunities for insect photography, but no tiger beetles on the beach. Instead, I settled for some Autumn Meadowhawks that were busy doing their thing near the lake.
Perching on branches and twigs ...
Resting on leaves ...
And making more meadowhawks ...
There were quite a few birds at the park as well ...
Both White-crowned and White-throated Sparrows, Blue-headed Vireos, our two Kinglet species, my first-of-fall Dark-eyed Juncos, Chipping Sparrows, Palm and Yellow-rumps, and more. Birding wasn't really the intent of the trip, but it's challenging not to bird when you're a birder.
After arriving back in the Paya Lake area, we had an early dinner at Waubee Lodge.
I had walleye ...
Sue had chicken with mushrooms ...
The outdoor patio at the lodge overlooks a small lake and the entire time we were eating I could hear the chip-notes of Yellow-rumped Warblers. Again, as a birder, it was important for me to point out their presence. Perhaps a topic for another blog post, but I'm sure other birders do this, too. Even at work, if I'm walking across the parking lot with coworkers and hear a bird, I'll point it out. "Listen ... hear that little see-lick sound? That's a Henslow's Sparrow. Can you hear it?"
There's nothing quite like a fire to end the day on ...
The warmth of the flames contrasts with the crisp autumn air, while the crackling wood and rustling leaves create a peaceful connection to Nature. The smoky scent of burning wood mingles with the earthy smell of fallen leaves, grounding you in the season. The flickering firelight casts a cozy glow, perfect for quiet reflection or conversation under the stars. Whether roasting marshmallows or just enjoying the quiet, the fire invites you to relax and savor the timeless atmosphere of the Northwoods.
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell