Take a walk outdoors this fall!
For a printable (PDF) version of this Walk, click here.
Spending time in nature has been proven to improve both our physical and mental wellness. Getting outdoors into the fresh air and exploring the green spaces around us, whether in the forest or in a more urban environment, can lower stress, improve our attention span and brighten our mood. In addition, as we walk, we can witness many life cycles at play, from flora to fauna, while also having time to ourselves for quiet and peaceful contemplation.
“Our identity includes our natural world, how we move through it, how we interact with it, and how it sustains us.” – David Suzuki
Before you go out.
Consider bringing a camera or smartphone and/or a notebook and pencil to record your observations, and any ideas or questions you might want to follow up on. If you will be collecting fallen leaves or pinecones, bring a small bag. Dress for comfort, safety, and the weather (layers are recommended). Bring along water (preferably in a reusable bottle) and a snack or two. Consider also investing in hiking boots and hiking poles if you are planning a more challenging hike. And remember to protect yourself from the sun, and from ticks, when going into the woods or brushy areas.
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” – Albert Camus
As you walk, observe the fall colours.
Deciduous trees work towards dropping all of their leaves quickly in the fall as temperatures cool, with the first stage being the breakdown and reabsorption of leaf pigments, which happens when leaves stop their food-making process. Chlorophyll, the green pigment we see predominantly in the summer, disappears first, exposing the other pigments within – yellow, orange, red, or purple – for us to see and enjoy. For more information on the science of fall colours, and also the impacts of climate change check out Tree Canada’s post here.
“I am struck by the simplicity of light in the atmosphere in the autumn, as if the earth absorbed none, and out of this profusion of dazzling light came the autumnal tints.” – Henry David Thoreau
See if you can spot these trees on your walks this fall!
Take in the unique aromas of fall.
Our ability to smell is because of receptors in our noses that detect aromatic molecules around us. Once leaves begin falling from the trees in the fall, they become food for organisms such as bacteria and fungi and as the leaves break down various gases are released. We are also more able to identify specific scents in the fall compared to summer because the cooler and drier weather makes aromatic molecules move slower through the air, making them more detectable to our noses. To learn more about the science of fall smells, check out PBS.org’s post here.
“The first breath of autumn was in the air, a prodigal feeling, a feeling of wanting, taking, and
keeping before it is too late.” – J.L.Carr
Observe the smaller plants and shrubs.
The onset of fall brings colourful changes not just to trees but to smaller plants and shrubs as well. And, some types of flowers such as asters, chrysanthemums and coneflowers are at their “brightest and best” in the fall, with some able to keep blooming until the first hard frost. Fall is also the time of year for seed production for many plants such as milkweed, a plant that is an important food source for many pollinators, especially the beautiful monarch butterfly whose larvae feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed.
“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” – L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
See if you can spot these small plants and shrubs on your walks this fall!
Take home a little fall colour this year.
Who can resist picking up that perfect fall leaf or two (or more)! If you are interested in preserving the leaves you have found, there are several ways to do so, for example, using wax paper or simply storing them between the pages of a magazine. Check out the online resources at The Spruce and the Ontario Science Centre for guidance and instructions. Note: if using the leaves for fall crafts, the glycerin method is the most recommended as the preserved leaves remain supple and pliable.
“As long as autumn lasts, I shall not have hands, canvas, and colors enough to paint the beautiful things I see.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Keep your eyes and ears open for birds as they migrate south.
Almost 75% of Canada’s birds are migratory. During the fall, these birds migrate to warmer climes, with some, such as warblers and orioles, flying as far as South America! As you take your walks in the fall, do you notice any change in bird migration from previous years? If so, this is possibly due, at least in part, to climate change, with Canadian Arctic and Boreal birds being the most impacted.
For more information on bird migration or the impact of climate change on migration patterns, check out the online resources at Birds Canada or Ducks Unlimited Canada.
“My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the Earth seeking the
successive autumns.” – George Eliot
Catch a salmon run in you can.
Many believe that the word “salmon” comes from the Latin word “salmo” or “salire”, which means “to leap”. And, watching salmon leaping as they swim upriver to spawn in the fall is certainly a sight to behold! In Southern Ontario, the best time to catch a salmon run is anytime from mid-September to late October, depending on the species, water levels and the temperature. The salmon could be a Pacific species (Chinook, Coho or Pink) that were introduced during the 1900’s or Atlantic Salmon. To identify which species you are seeing, check out this guide from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Interesting fact: Pacific salmon will die after spawning whereas Atlantic salmon will return to the lake.
“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen
Wishing you a Happy Fall from the ACER team!