Many of us Michiganders see summer as the gateway to our Great Lakes and our wildernesses and waterfalls. Other than those things, I don’t get much enjoyment out of summer. But FALL in Michigan is such a splendid and magically beautiful time, it’s what I wait for all year. It’s on its way.
Gorgeous leaves and a new apple crop.
I took these photos last week from the wilderness part of our property that we leave to the critters.
This was a lovely surprise, an enormous (compared to what I normally see) Spotted Touch-Me-Not (Impatiens capensis). They normally grow near ditches and in shade in this area. This plant must have started in the shade of some larger plants, until I got at least 5’ (152cm) high.
Golden Rod is nearly peak, some is already overblown. I can’t wait until the asters are out. They usually overlap the end of golden rod.
The sensitive ferns I was able to identify earlier this summer (I think this is the first plant I’ve ever identified with a key. woo hoo) have finally develped their fertile parts, and the fronds are starting to die back:
Milkweed, Queen Anne’s Lace and Thistles are as common as dirt, but I like them, so here are some samples:
My friend asked for some milkweed seeds, so I’ll give them to her once a pod or two are ripe. We didn’t have much growing on our property until my youngest was little. She liked to play with the fluff. So we had fun pulling the pods apart, pulling the fluff out, and letting the seeds eventually fly. The butterflies seem to approve of this move.
QAL is just pretty.
Here’s a holdout. Most of the thistles have gone to seed.
Sassafras show the signs of the times. And is yielding wild grapes as well:
Leaves of three… Be careful where you step. You never be quite where you’ll find patches of poison ivy on my property. We have two kinds in Michigan. I think I’ve found both in my wildernes.
Quaking Aspen transplants are still alive. I’m thrilled. The power company can deal with the ones they don’t want around, but now I have at least 3 little ones where they won’t be cut down. They’re almost waist high now.
Virginia Creeper knows what time it is:
One of two ( I think hickory ) nut trees that “just grows” out by the ditch by the road.
This tree feeds the wild animals well.
I’m watching the sassafras for color. I’ve got no sumac, but the the sassafras is one of the first to change colors and most vibrant.
