Hints of sun, shadow and night skies

The dogs were so beside themselves to be on their way out today. The sun was out and though the wind was cold, it was a gorgeous day.

I passed a nest blown from its tree top on the trail.

The stark white mushrooms still poke out beneath the fallen leaves.

Or emerge from trees.

Fallen leaves impale themselves on twigs. One must wonder at the force of a fallen leaf for such a thing to occur.

Ripley and Charm stop for a moment at the lake for a cold drink while Domino runs full speed up and down the trail with total exhilaration.

The light has already faded in the forest by the time we are out in it, creating silhouettes against the sky.

Sunset light colors things in strange shades that defy the camera.

Colorful landmarks mark our trail.

And just bits of color cling here and there.

The upper slope offers mini alpine views so rare in Wisconsin.

The setting sun lights the tree tops on fire with an orange glow.

The fields of wildflowers are now decimated by the north winds gusting noisily along the summit.

A feeling of winter is descending before it seems fall has completed its work.

Overhead the clouds are stretched into long shapes by the wind and the air is filled with the sound of crows arguing among the trees.

Very few of the more fragile things have survived the wind the past few days.

In some places the branches shine in the light, now revealed and in their own glory.

The vines are always the first to appear and the last to go.

The setting sun paints everything with the most surreal light.

Charm and Domino play tag through the trees, bounding into view every few minutes.

While I am mesmerized by the setting sun, so small in the distance.

Under the canopy, the last few trees perform their dance of fall, glowingly backlit.

And monstrous mushrooms seem to stretch toward the diminishing sun as night falls.

Ripley and Charm play along the trail in front of me while Domino zig zags behind us. But all are happy to jump in the car for the ride home, shaking the fading light from their fur with eyes filled with the crisp, clear glow of fall.