Enjoying the crisp air and start of colours

[kgd]

Took a bit of a solo walk early this morning. I just wanted to feel some cold air on my cheek and check out the colours that are on the verge of becoming something wonderful.

Right now there is just a smattering of trees that are beginning to turn. Some years there is a glorious synchrony to this and other years it is far more staggered. Who can tell which one this year will bring?

A lone tree in the prairie doesn't seem to want to synchronize with itself!

The traditional colours of late summer are still out there, berries and the fading yellow of late goldenrod.

more coming....

 

[kgd]

I wasn't the only one enjoying the colours this morning.

Took a couple of shots of the Koyote Mills pattern skinner which was riding my belt today.

On to a bit of fire. Parts of the golden rod are now turning to fluffy seed. Everytime I look at the fluffy golden rod seeds I can't help but think they would make great flash tinder. Experience proves me otherwise, but just for the heck of it I harvested a little bit for some trials later.

More coming

 

[kgd]

Likewise the phragmites seed heads make excellent tinder, however, timing is the key. These seed heads bellow are still too green to be useful. Yet, if one searches out, one can find the fluffy flash tinder perfect for taking a spark.

Now this is the good stuff!

Back home now. I decided to contrast the fluffy phragmites with the fluffy golden rod. Which is a better tinder?

The phragmites - one strike and poof, good flames.

The goldenrod - bummer. It feels dry to the touch and is nice and fluffy. It accepts the sparks and forms fragile embers but it just doesn't want to flame.

Okay, so what to do? Well the answer is to cheat of course. What might a survivalist, paranoid of H1N1 might have on them? Oh yeah some fuel!

Little dab of hand santizer works wonders as an accelerant, the alcohol catches that spark and generates a flame hot enough to catch the rest of the goldenrod seed into flame.

This is good stuff for the pack, keeps your hands clean, great for cleaning dishes, topical treatment for minor cuts under a makeshift band aid and fire fuel.

 

[Calebklyne]

nice pictures im glad you guys keep posting what nice walks you have cause its too cold for them out here

 

[Mistwalker]

Awesome photos Ken, I love the pics of the deer. I have been waiting for Autumn since the last one ended. Good to know all of the hand sanitizer on hand can have more than one use.

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Gorgeous pics! Thanks for sharing. Fall around Ky is my favorite time of year by far, I will be quite excited to hit the trails when in full transition.

 

[Rotte]

Great pics! (We've gone monochromatic here--everything is white )

 

[brightb]

Great photos! Between your pics and those of Mistwalker I am reminded why I enjoy fall more than any other season. THe colours, the smells, the nice crisp air. I love it. And good man buying Life Brand

Bill

 

[TheGame]

Ahh, if I saw that, I would have been eating some backstraps right now.

Nice pics, Ken. Thanks for posting :thumbup:

 

[ratamahatta]

great pics, the colors are starting to pop out around these parts!!

 

[udtjim]

You guys are lucky, our colors are long since gone, except for the White.

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Nice pictures, Ken.

Do you have lots of Sassafras down your way?

Doc

 

[WalterDavis]

Looks like a great day! That two-toned tree is terriffic Nice pics, all of them!!

 

[dipbait]

That Koyote Mills looks like a versatile blade.

 

[mete]

I spent yesterday driving around the Catskill Mtns which is peaking now. While I live here it was nice to just ride around to see nature's works .

 

[kgd]

Nice pictures, Ken.

Do you have lots of Sassafras down your way?

Doc

Doc, I think so...In fact I think I have some growing in my back yard. I keep pulling it out and it keeps coming back....At least that is the one with the tri-lobed leaves. I'll try to get pictures of it today.

 

[Stormstaff]

Those sure are some great pics. Thanks for sharing!!

Hopefully I can get out and enjoy some of this fall weather myself soon.

 

[Masteroffajitas]

Beautiful picture, dig your fire kit knife too.