Spearfish Canyon

On the first day of October, I took a drive down Spearfish Canyon even though I knew I was a little late to view the autumn colors at their prime there, which is in late Sept. You might think, what difference does a few days make...us locals know, it does matter, because the prairie winds find their way into the canyon and give the dying leaves a good thrashing, pretty much daily...but I did find some color yet intact...

But first things first...I stopped at the N end of the canyon, at a spot I like to look around...the creek was bone dry, a surprise...some creeks in the Black Hills do tend to drop underground...last time I looked, the creek was running above ground here...anyway, I was able to walk in the creek bed, where I discovered a chipmunk busily stuffing ticklegrass into its cheeks...

...And the poison ivy was a pretty deep coral color...

And the Western virgin's bower was still in its fruit stage...heads of achenes with silky, feathery beaks...

...Further S., I made a feeble attempt to shoot Bridal Veil Falls, knowing the light was all wrong...

...And further still, patches of sumac could be seen, a brilliant red...

At the Roughlock Falls area, the Motherwort was in bloom...a mint...

The woodbine was pretty shades of wine...

And the forget-me-nots were scattered all over as usual...

Below Roughlock Falls from the bridge, looking further downstream...

Heading back, along the road to the Falls, which is in Little Spearfish Canyon.