Fall is sort of sad

Flowers have all faded except for the purple Asters and Mountain Sunflowers in bright yellow.  Fireweed has lost its magenta flowers and gone to fluffy seeds.  Aspens are still holding their green leaves, for the most part.  Hillsides are not golden, not yet.  This one Aspen tree is cloning itself and its unique genetics, just down the hill from Willow Flats.  

    Birds are mostly migrated away from the Park.  A few Pelicans, and ducks can still be found at Oxbow Lake.  Yellow-rumped warblers are staying longer in the Willows than other little Passerines.   Its so quiet in the forest.   Magpies and Crows will be around all winter.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
    Juncos and Chickadees often visit feeders in Jackson.

Grasses at Schwabacker's Landing are becoming yellow, on this cloudy Fall day. 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Leaves on Huckleberry bushes turn red along Taggart Lake trail.  Asters and Aspens are still in summer dress. 

Fireweed's magenta flowers have gone to fluffy seeds, then the leaves become red in September.

Moose antlers have lost the nutritious

 "velvet"  covering and are impressive in size.  You know its Fall when male Moose are displaying their antlers, and the Elk are bugling in the forest.