The Three Colors Of Iowa. With a Touch Of Autumn...

Iowa has three colors..  Green, Gold, and Brown.    I'm no counting the sky.... which is mostly blue during any time it is not raining. (It's raining today!)    But the Autumn color here in Iowa is usually disappointing if you come from anywhere else in the Mid-West.  ( Where there are actually TREES)    Don't be fooled by the tourist brochures and pamphlets!  They go to the same small tree lot in Des Moines or Dubuque and show off that microcosm to bring in the color tour people.   But the only color you are likely o see here in Iowa.. For the Fall... Is gold.

Don't get me wrong.  Gold is very striking!   Especially before the Soybeans lose their leaves.   And the endless fields of Amber colored corn is breathtaking.   But if you wanted the pallet of colors that you once used to take for granted in Michigan,  you will be in for a let-down.

Wood Blewit. 

But every now and then,   a maple tree will show a touch of red.   There are pumpkin patches and a few apple orchards that might show off a few different colors.  People still have their Mums and other flowers out and about.  But once the harvest is over,  everything turns brown here.  Even on the colorful trees,  the leaves simply turn brown and fall down.

Blewits, shaggy cap, and unknown...

The key is to look for the colors that are not on the trees.  Flowers, of course.  But also the colorful Mushrooms that pop up at this time.   Today we discovered Blewits!  (Lepista Nuda)   They are currently on my desk as I wait for a confirming spore print.  (Not to be confused with the Purple Cort.)

As the stocking season kicks off,  Cheryl and I are having a "free day".   (Not worry free... just work free.)  Yesterday I worked on the Subie with his Stabilizer arm links and We sewed up quite a few stockings after the weekend.   But now,  Perhaps I will fold something or play with a cat or two.  We shall see.

Neighbors cat, Eating food strangely. 

Hope everyone is enjoying Fall color where you live.   Rumor has it that this week could be the last of the growing season. ( Temps dip below freezing.)  So much for Autumn's Transition.   I have already taken down the last of my tomatoes two days ago.   They were not ripening much anymore anyway and began to taste a little off...  And they were very rubbery.   At least Cheryl will enjoy the colder temps for her running.   We shall see.