Most prairie plants have now traded their summer colors for the browns and golds of fall.  The low angle of the sun this time of year shines rich warm light across the grassland.  As a special bonus, crisp fall mornings often provide a beautiful frosty glaze that perfectly accents the texture and colors of autumn prairie plants .  Last weekend, I enjoyed the combination of all those factors during a brief but pleasant morning outing.

Stiff sunflower (Helianthus pauciflorus) and frost. Lincoln Creek Prairie, Aurora, Nebraska.

Roundheaded bushclover (Lespedeza capitata).

When everything else is brown, any remaining green – including these Canada milkvetch (Astragalus canadensis) leaves – really stands out …especially when edged in frost.

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