Northland Nature: Walking the AutWin woods

The woods are filled with leaves as I go for an AutWin walk.

With the recent leaf drop, the scene has changed much. We can now see far among the trees. This is the interlude between the leaf drop and the lasting snow cover — a time I like to call AutWin.

Walking now is pleasant; not so cold, no snow cover, ground not frozen. Without green foliage, trees appear bare. But wandering and watching here, I see that there is much happening.

Though most trees are without leaves, a few linger. Some willows, aspen and poplar still hold yellows, and many ironwoods, sugar maples and red oaks hang onto curled brown leaves that stay all winter. In the nearby swamps, tamaracks add their yellow-gold glow. Among brown leaves on the forest floor, there is green.

Mosses cover logs, rocks and bases of tre