Autumn’s prairie patches

We’re fortunate to live somewhere that has a few out of the way fields that are either regenerating prairie or the owners have worked to restore patches of prairie as buffers between row crop fields and alongside the township’s gravel road. During much of the summer we had the pleasure of viewing prairie flowers such as black-eyed Susans and bee balm. Recently, the roadsides have been full of milkweed with seed pods opened and seeds awaiting the autumn winds. There’s a difference between seeing an occasional seed pod and a long ditch embankment full of them, looking like the remains of a prairie pillow fight.

milkweed seed pods in field

Photo by J. Harrington

October, in our neighborhood, is prime time to watch for woollybear caterpillars. We’ve not noticed any yet this autumn and we’re getting really curious to find some and see what their banding foretells about our upcoming winter. Then again, we remember how accurate any weather forecast is once it gets beyond twelve hours or so. For the upcoming winter, NOAA forecasts that our region has equal chances of above or below average temperature and precipitation. Using woollybears seems about as accurate and more fun. If you’ve been paying any attention to the stock market recently, you may have seen a pattern similar to that which we’re anticipating for this winter’s weather: a roller coaster ride, up and down ad nauseam.

Most of the leaves in which the woollybears will spend the winter are still on the trees. We’re not close to peak color yet, but the spatters and speckles of scarlet, crimson, gold, yellow, tan, bronze, brass, and maroon are increasing night after night. This year’s color change pattern seems more fragmented or dispersed than past years, but that may just be how I’m seeing it.

We’re looking forward to Indigenous People’s Day on October 11, Halloween on the 31st, and in between, the Falling Leaves full moon on the 20th. We’re also delighted to report that we just noticed a bloom from one of last year’s asters planted near the end of the drive. All summer there was no sign of life in either  of the plants. Now, one flower and some buds have appeared, almost miraculously. That’s almost enough to help us believe Congress might actually do something to benefit ordinary folks, one of these days, if we can just survive long enough.

October

By Robert Frost

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.

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