Looking for fall color? Check this site

LJWorld.com weblogs Linda's Backroad Musings

Posted by Linda Hanney October 6, 2010 at 12:33 a.m.

Several mornings in rural Douglas County arrived with an ever so slight covering of frost reminding me fall is here despite the beautiful days. My flowering plants were nestled under a blanket while others, less important only because they've had their glory, were nipped.

I notice the prairie grass already has its beautiful fall bronze-copper look. The trees far off in the valley appear green, but they too will soon be adding their reds and yellows.

Today I came across this site from the USDA Forest Service. It has the latest updates on tree color divided by region across the United States.

I plan to study it closely as we usually try to spend a few days chasing color. But, in the end, many local areas such as the Wildlife and Parks above Clinton Lake are just as beautiful.

Any other rural areas around Lawrence to add to a leaf peeping road trip?

by Linda Hanney

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Alia Ahmed 2 years, 7 months ago

Beautiful photo, Linda!

Linda Hanney 2 years, 7 months ago

Thank you Alia!

DougCounty 2 years, 7 months ago

I think that Ken Lassman's book, Wild Douglas County, has a list of native oak-hickory woodlands and prairies in it. I don't have a copy of it with me where I am, but it seems to me that he talks about Baldwin Woods, south of Vinland, being a good tree spot, as well as a number of other native woodlands in the county.

As far as prairies, he mentioned the Prairie Nature Center as a good prairie, and Blackjack Park east of Baldwin also has a public prairie. Of course, the Flint Hills are not that far away, and Shawnee County it seems has more remnant prairies than Douglas county.

I think Wild Douglas County is available in the Raven Bookstore

Ronda Miller 2 years, 7 months ago

I agree with Alia, terrific shot. You've got an eye for color. I also agree that our area of Kansas, as well as the rest of the state, is as pretty as it gets, and as varied.

Linda Hanney 2 years, 7 months ago

Ronda, I feel the prairie grass is beautiful and easy to catch in a photo. Thank you!

DougCounty, excellent tip on the book--I'll be looking for it. The Coblentz Prairie and the Clinton Lake Wildlife & Parks area (http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us/news/KDWP-Info/Locations/Wildlife-Areas/Region-2/Clinton) provide a panoramic view of the entire valley--beautiful in the fall with the trees & native grass. With your suggestions, I am formulating a Douglas County Color Tour.