Even without the brilliant orange and red hues of Maple trees, Fall color can be spectacular out on the prairie, as we found in our travels through western Minnesota and South Dakota last week.
Maximillion Sunflowers at sunset on the prairie hillside above Lac Qui Parle.An old prairie farmhouse and shed still stand in the middle of rolling prairie and pothole lake habitat at Samuel Ordway Prairie Preserve near Leola, SD. Sunset at Samuel Ordway Prairie Preserve.Sunset at a prairie pothole lake, near Ordway Prairie Preserve.Sunlight streaming through basswood leaves at Roy Lake State Park near Sisseton, South Dakota. This is a particularly beautiful state park with campsites sited on a peninsula, surrounded by water, in a mature oak and basswood forest.Early morning reflected light from the oak-basswood forest at Roy Lake State Park. A lone White Pelican swam leisurely down the channel between the campground and an island offshore.Fall color on Grindstone Lake near Sandstone, MN. We canoed here to find some Kingfishers that were reported to be passing through in large numbers. The lake has exceptionally clear water and lots of fingerling fish to feed the hungry trout. Sadly, Kingfishers were less than cooperative that day.Kingfishers were not fishing, and they spotted our slowly drifting canoe from a great distance away and quickly flew off.
Well, at least you did see and photograph the kingfisher. We have had just one here the past couple days – haven’t seen them the past couple years, I think. All your fall images are splendid – full of light, texture and color.
Back Yard Biology 
Just beautiful, Sue. I will store those photos in my brains to pull out when winter comes around!!
Thanks! How about that radial sunbeam pattern on the basswood tree!
Beautiful images Sue! Enjoyed seeing them!
Well, at least you did see and photograph the kingfisher. We have had just one here the past couple days – haven’t seen them the past couple years, I think. All your fall images are splendid – full of light, texture and color.