Half-Frozen Flora
On a cold fall day we hiked on the Mt. Hilliam Trails. A skiff of snow covered the edge of the trail at higher altitudes and many of the summer flowering plants had been knocked down by a hard frost, but there was still much to see. Rosehips bring color to the landscape.
Meltwater collects in puddles and then freezes to form interesting shapes.
Lichens and liverworts peak through the early snow.
The bare trunks of aspen trees contrast with the fading colors. Scratches from bears can sometimes be seen:
Seedheads stop developing and are frozen into their winter shapes.
If we are lucky, hoar frost crystals can be spotted in the ryegrass.
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” (Dr. Seuss)