Fall on the WNP follows the leaves. In late September leaves are pretty much green; by late December they are brown and on the ground; during October and November they are one of the wonders of the natural world. Fall on the WNP reflects changes in the solar illumination, from the autumnal equinox of late September to the winter solstice of late December; Autumn’s long and colorful journey into winter.
As the sun traverses the sky, from dawn to dusk, at a lower level, the light of Autumn is unique and its muted luminosity draws forth the richest earth tones of the season. Wildlife prepares for winter’s arrival and seeks shelter against the cold to come; migrations, hibernations, and “hunkering down” are but examples.
There is a great deal to see on the clear-cut. Particularly prominent are members of a large plant family, Asteraceae. This family includes the Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, and Fleabanes of summer, which gradually give way to several species of Asters. Also conspicuous on the clear-cut are various Goldenrods and some Purple Loosestrife. Indian Hemp and Milkweed have gone to seed (pods). Phragmites, Chinese Bush Clover, and Mugwort are in abundance and in flower. Autumn Olive is in fruit (berries). There are also aromatic mints to be found on the clear-cut. Vines on the clear-cut included Asiatic Bittersweet and Climbing False Buckwheat.

In the woods, White Wood Asters are in flower and Partridgeberry, Winterberry, and Spicebush are in fruit (berries). Tulip Trees are maturing their seed pods, the Hickories and Black Walnuts are dropping nuts, the Oaks are dropping acorns, and Witch-Hazel seed pods are getting ready to explode! See how many of the 13 different species of ferns you can find.

Welcome to summer on the WNP. There is a great deal to see on the clear cut. Particularly prominent are members of a large plant family, Asteraceae. This family includes Daisies, Black-eyed Susans, and Fleabanes, and later in the summer and into the fall, at least half a dozen different species of Asters. Five different kinds of clovers (members of the family Fabaceae) are now in bloom, Red Clover, White Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, White Sweet Clover, and Hop Clover. Three different kinds of plantains, Common Plantain, English Plantain (members of the Plantain Family), and Water Plantain (a member of the Water Plantain Family, found in standing water) are now quite evident. A plethora of kinds of grasses, Timothy, Red Top, Giant Reed, Deer-Tongue, Orchard, and Foxtail, to name but a few, are flowering about now.
A multitude of insect species, now quite active on the clearcut, includes the modern pterodactyls, Dragonflies, including the Twelve-spot Skimmer and Widow, and Butterflies, including Great Spangled Fritillary, Eastern Yellow Swallowtails, and Eastern Black Swallowtails.
White-tail Deer fawns and Turkey chicks are abroad on the WNP- please give them a wide berth.
Enjoy yourself and when you leave check for Deer Ticks.

Local

Eat and Drink

• Fishkill Farms - Hopewell Junction (19.1 miles) - Fishkill Farms is a family-owned fruit and vegetable farm in the Hudson Valley, and one of the only ...
• Pontos Taverna - NORWALK (19.6 miles) - Authentic Greek Cuisine
• Flipside Burgers & Bar - Fairfield (21.3 miles) - Flipside Burger & Bar is the place to go for delicious food, fun times and great atmosphere in the h...

See and Do

• Westside Nature Preserve Danbury (0.0 miles) - Fall on the WNP follows the leaves. In late September leaves are pretty much green; by late December...
• Ives Concert Park Danbury (0.7 miles) - Tucked away in a lush oasis of natural beauty on Danbury’s west side, Ives Concert Park hosts worl...
• Danbury Railway Museum Danbury (2.3 miles) - Danbury Railway Museum is located in the historic 1903 Union Station in Danbury, CT, and adjacent 10...
• The Nature Conservancy's Sunny Valley Preserve New Milford (12.0 miles) - The Sunny Valley Preserve consists of 1,850 acres of farmland, forests, wetlands, and meadows on 19 ...
• TheatreWorks New Milford, Inc. New Milford (13.6 miles) - TheatreWorks New Milford is a 501c3 non-profit, 112 seat, award winning Live Community Theater locat...

Shopping

• Black Rock Galleries - Bridgeport (21.2 miles) - With an ever-changing assortment of fresh estate inventory, Black Rock Galleries (BRG) is one of the...