Colorado; In the Path of Autumn

On the last weekend in September I made a trip up the Cache la Poudre Canyon and over Cameron Pass to North Park. This was the peak of fall colors in the mountains. Aspen groves were drifts of gold among the dark green pine and spruce forest. On the ground, bright red leaves and berries of wild rose grew around soft green sagebrush.

In October, the cottonwoods along rivers and streams in the lower canyons take their turn glowing with golden leaves. I love to go to the San Luis Valley in October to see the huge flocks of Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The cranes use this Refuge to rest and eat for a few weeks on their migration from Idaho and Montana to New Mexico. In the spring, they will stop again on the way north. It's wonderful to see these big gray birds, up to four feet tall with six to seven foot wing spans, as they circle to land on the fields and wetlands. Hearing their soft burbling call is a treat, too.

On the shortgrass prairie in eastern Colorado, the native grasses are turning tan and rust. These grasses may look dead, but their roots go deep into the soil and they are among the hardiest of plants. Tumble weeds are blowing in the wind, dropping tiny seeds as they roll along and pile up against fence rows. Milkweed pods are breaking open to release their fluffy seeds to the wind. Summer birds, like the Swainson's Hawks and Lark Buntings are on their way south, but the little Horned Larks will stay for the winter.

Autumn is a beautiful and exciting season in Colorado; a time for long migrations, urgent preparations, and dramatic changes. It's definitely worth visiting and seeing before the winter snows and skiers descend on the Rockies.

This article was first published by Suite101.com on 16 October, 2001.

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Colorado Nature Series
J.B.Barton's regular articles on the Colorado environment.

Photos J.B.Barton

TravelSuite Travel Tips

GETTING THERE: Denver International Airport serves as hub to Colorado's 10 other commercial airports linked through regular shuttle services. Commercial ground transportation also connects the airport with other cities and resorts. Thirteen other airports scattered around the state can receive substantial aircraft. Colorado Springs Airport hosts several major carriers with regular timetables. Pueblo and Grand Junction also connect directly to out-of-state destinations.

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