Kentucky Department of Parks State Naturalist's Blog

Tomorrow marks the beginning of “FALL.” So, tomorrow may be that special morning where you rise early to welcome in the new season. These colder nights, bursting with warm, sunny days make for splendid colors. I guess in scientific terms you could say it is the first day of the autumnal equinox.

One of my favorite fall quotes is, "Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower." This particular quote, by Albert Camus, is a reminder of the reflections upon the many things in my life and the many wonderful and scenic places that this great Commonwealth has to offer to so many people. I look at the splendid beauty of our fall season as a means of "Mother Nature's" way of making something that is dying or going into dormancy look absolutely beautiful.

And, every leaf will be its own flower. Why? Perhaps it's the beauty of splendid colors wrapped together like many prisms turning to make different reflections. Or, perhaps it's football season with the "Boys of Fall." Or, maybe it's a myriad of many things.

During the past week or so with my travels throughout the Commonwealth, I am seeing glimpses of fall with colors from sweetgum, sumac, dogwood, sourwood, persimmon, and even poison ivy. It makes for some interesting reds and purplish colors that are admirable. In many areas you can still see blankets of coreopsis, ironweed, joypye weed, and goldenrod wildflowers. And, if you travel in the early morning the fields will be covered with spider webs that make for a special “glistening” when the sun hits it just right.

For those that are not aware, Kentucky's ColorFall Program is in its 27th year. It is indeed a great resource for those interested in fall colors in the Commonwealth. To access, open the COLORFALL ICON on the home page of the Tourism Website. The program starts today and runs through October 31.

In closing, "If winter is slumber and spring is birth, and summer is life, then autumn rounds out to be reflection. It's a time of year when the leaves are down and the harvest is in and the perennials are gone. Mother Earth just closed up the drapes on another year and it's time to reflect on what's come before." By Mitchell Burges

I invite you to visit our Kentucky State Parks this fall and enjoy the splendid colors of “Mother Nature” and the many special events that are planned at some of our beautiful parks. Go make some memories that will last for a lifetime! Create that special moment.

For additional information on park events, visit HERE.

Safe travels.

Big Brown Bat
There is no doubt that bats are one of the most misunderstood animals in the world. There are also many superstitions about them as many people associate them as being evil. In fact, most people rank their fear of bats to that of snakes.

In contrast, because they consume large amounts of insects, they are one of the most beneficial mammals.

Here are some educational facts about bats. READ MORE

RED RIVER GORGE
Since last week, there is not a lot of change here in Frankfort. Cool nights and especially the cool weather this weekend with some sunshine should bring additional colors in the week to come. I am still seeing beautiful red colors in sumac, dogwood, permission, along with some gold bronze colors in some species. Old field areas still look great with vibrant colors of yellow and purple in goldenrod, ironweed, coreopsis, and many more fall wildflowers.

For those that are not aware, Kentucky has a ColorFall Program that gives reports on various color changes across many different regions in Kentucky. It is now in its 26th year. To access, open the COLORFALL ICON on the home page of the Tourism Website. The program runs through October 31.

I invite you to visit our state parks this fall and enjoy the splendid colors of “Mother Nature.” Make some memories that will last for a lifetime! Go create that special moment. For additional information on park events, visit HERE. Safe travels!

The Pageantry of Autumn


NOTE: This article was written by Dean Henson, park naturalist at Pine Mountain State Resort Park. To reach Dean, please e-mail him at this LINK or visit his BLOG SITE.

Somewhere a tired, ragged, maple leaf tinged red-orange by the crispy-cool nights and brilliant sunny days of autumn teeters on its brittle stem one last time and is then released to make its solitary journey from high atop a shimmering tree to the awaiting forest floor. Having been produced and displayed as one among many, it will now join thousands of its kindred huddled around the base of the host tree like children clinging to their mother's dress-tail. The leaves, having done all their living in bondage on the end of a twig, experience a few fleeting seconds of freedom and then become as so many curled brown memories of lazy summer days. It’s the death of summer. READ MORE

American Hiking Society Volunteers
Kentucky State Parks Participate in National Public Lands Day 2011 by Gil Lawson, Communications Director, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. – The Kentucky State Parks will be participating in National Public Lands Day on Sept. 24, 2011, a day set aside to recognize the importance of parks and encourage volunteer work.

National Public Lands Day began in 1994 with three federal agencies and 700 volunteers. Last year, some 170,000 volunteers worked in 2,000 locations in every state. The purpose of this day is to keep the promise of the Civilian Conservation Corps alive and to preserve and protect America’s natural heritage.

During last year’s celebration, volunteers across the country carried out more than $15 million in improvements by removing trash, collecting invasive plants, building trails and planting trees.

In a proclamation, Gov. Steve Beshear noted the importance of public lands. “Public lands provide locally accessible natural and cultural resources for environmental learning, wildlife appreciation, and recreation,” Beshear said in the proclamation.

Here are the Kentucky State Parks’ events:
(Some parks are having National Public Lands Day events on Sept. 17 due to conflicts with other events.)
READ MORE