The clothes line that so often holds bedsheets, flannel shirts, denim jeans, cotton blouses, and strategically hidden undergarments, now has clothes pins holding colorful fall leaves. For two days the crucified-like leaves hang from the clothes line as the breeze gently sways them to the beat of their last dance. As the hours pass, the rich colors slowly drain from their veins and the leaves turn to a nutty brown hue. Finally released, the leaves fall to the ground and become

Long ago the wood fence posts rotted away and the farmer's once razor sharp barbed wire is now tangled and lost in the soil and tree roots below. The Earth Mother then asked birch and aspen trees to grow and cover the scars. Fence lines are for people. Deer, birds and rabbits know no borders and the spirit of the earth doesn't stop at the fence line. #Fallcolors #wisconsin #Naturephotography #EightyAcresPhotography #dunncounty #Midwest #Discoverwisconsin #EarthMother #Travel

Evening sunlight touches the tall grass on Eighty Acres. Like a mop of unkept hair or an old man's beard, the wind rustles through the dried fall grass and the Earth Mother whispers to me of the winter to come. #Fallcolors #wisconsin #Discoverwisconsin #EightyAcresPhotography #EarthMotherssecrets #TravelWI #Winter #EarthMother #DunnCounty #Midwest #sunsets #FallGrass

I staked my claim on the golden hills and trails of Eighty Acres. Yes, there is gold in them "thar" hills. #Fallcolors #wisconsin #Naturephotography #EarthMotherssecrets #EightyAcresPhotography #dunncounty #Wisconsin #Discoverwisconsin #Midwest #GoldenHills

Throughout the ages sumac has been used for many purposes. Such as...spices, beverage flavoring, tanning, medicines and pipe stems. But today I have no thoughts of using sumac for any of these reasons. Rather my goal is to be mindful of the richness of the sumac's colors on Eighty Acres, knowing the brilliant colors will soon turn brown and fall to the earth. #Naturephotography #EightyAcresPhotography #wisconsin #Fallcolors #DunnCounty #Midwest #Discoverwisconsin #EarthMothe

One month ago the Earth Mother painted Eighty Acres with the red, orange, and yellow colors in her crayon box. But her mood has changed and her voice has become softer, more reflective, and she now dresses the earth in gentle tan and brown colors. Winter is upon Eighty Acres, but I will not forget the beauty given to me this past fall. #Wisconsin #EightyAcresPhotography #Midwest #Discoverwisconsin #EarthMother #DunnCounty #Naturephotography #Fallcolors #Dragonflys

Eighty Acres is in its Fall glory with the white birch framing the golden maple leaves. The Earth Mother is dressed in her coat of many colors.....soon to fall asleep under a soft white blanket of snow. #Wisconsin #EightyAcresPhotography #Discoverwisconsin #Midwest #EarthMother #DunnCounty #Naturephotography #Fallcolors

Maple leaves float on a small pool of water on Eighty Acres. During this time of year the birds and animals visit the pool to sip the cool water. I too visit the pool and let my eyes drink the rich fall colors. Thank you Earth Mother for blessing us all. #Fallcolors #photography #wisconsin #Naturephotography #EightyAcres

To celebrate the end of each fall season, the Earth Mother dresses in her finest clothes. From her closet she searches for the boldest and most colorful outfits and, being a bit fickle, will often change her clothes on a whim. At times she wears a coat of the brightest reds. Her wide brimmed hats are sometimes the deepest yellows, and her long skirts can be a collage of oranges and browns.. And for fun, she will wear green socks. But she soon grows tired and the party ends

For six months this maple leaf lived atop Eighty Acres... It danced in the breeze, trembled during thunder storms, provided shelter for the robins and time after time watched me walk by with my camera. This week while I was sleeping, the maple leaf released its grip and silently swirled down from its lofty perch and landed upon my stacked birch firewood. A beautiful gift to me from the Earth Mother. Thank you! #Naturephotography #wisconsin #EightyAcres #Fallcolors