Michigan Autumn's Farewell
Watch how life transform with the seasons
September
Fall colors is a phrase that speaks for itself. With its saturated beauty of reds, yellows and oranges, fall paints the world in a brilliant set of colors. Hidden by the dramatically changing aesthetics, small things are happening too - as the last of the flowers bloom and leaves starting to turn gold, the world as the small critters know it starts to change, and so do they.
One of the most charismatic flowers that define fall must be the golden-rod. Its glamorous yellow wrapped in still green leaves signal the arrival of the long awaited season.
October
As the vibrant fall colors begin to weave their tapestry across the landscape, there's a subtle transformation unfolding beneath the surface. Amidst the golden-rod, that charismatic herald of autumn, a quiet but profound change takes place. The once-glamorous yellow blossoms, wrapped in still-green leaves, start to fade into a muted elegance.
In this season of transition, the stems and leaves of fields become a bustling hub for a myriad of insects. The golden-rod, once the focal point of attention, begins to take backstage to a diverse community of tiny creatures. It's as if the fading brilliance of the flowers signals an change for these insects to find a new home.
November
Yet, the shift in the golden-rod's status as the star of the show also impacts the insect community. With the flowers dried and their vibrant hues replaced by the rich tones of fall foliage, the insects adapt. No longer finding refuge in the stems and leaves, they seek new shelter under logs and within the protective layers of leaf litter.
The once-bustling hub of insect activity aboveground now gives way to a hidden world beneath the fallen leaves and logs. The insects, resourceful in their quest for survival, create a subterranean haven where they can weather the changing season. It's a subtle dance of adaptation, as the insects move from the exposed fields to the sheltered realms beneath, mirroring the broader rhythm of nature's cyclical shifts.
In this quieter, hidden realm, life persists, intertwined with the fallen foliage of fall. The golden-rod, having gracefully bowed out, becomes a memory of the season's earlier days. As the insects navigate their subterranean world, the landscape aboveground continues to evolve, embodying the transient beauty of autumn in its full, vibrant glory.
December
As winter descends upon the land, a hush falls over the once-bustling fields. The vibrant colors of fall give way to a pristine blanket of snow, transforming the landscape into a serene, frozen tableau. It seems as if nature itself takes a deep breath, pausing in anticipation of the colder months. The golden-rod, having completed its cycle, stands frozen in time, its delicate form encased in a fragile layer of snow.
Yet, even in this frigid cold, life finds a way. Beneath the snow and ice, a secret world unfolds. Insects and bugs, seemingly dormant, are still active in their own clandestine existence. They navigate the icy depths, continuing their unseen journey amidst the winter stillness.
As the world above remains tranquil and frozen, the subnivean world beneath the snow is teeming with activity. The insects and bugs, seemingly unaffected by the cold, carry on with their secret lives, a reminder that nature's cycles persist even in the most inhospitable conditions. Winter, with its frosty facade, conceals the vibrant tapestry of life that continues to unfold beneath the surface, unseen and resilient.
Invasive Species
In the delicate dance of seasons transitioning from fall to winter in Michigan, the photos reveal more than the changing foliage; it unveils a poignant narrative of invasive species quietly claiming their space. As the vibrant colors of autumn wane, a substantial portion of the visual symphony reveals itself as non-native interlopers, weaving into the landscape with an almost deceptive grace. These invasive inhabitants, once introduced, have found a home, their presence altering the rhythm of this natural ballet. I hope to use images you scrolled past, to illustrate how much of the life you just saw, are not native to the beautiful and intricate ecosystem we inhabit!
