There have been a couple of killing frosts which means that the trees are changing to their brilliant autumn hues.

I had time for a short hike so decided to visit the Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation Area.

The fall colors were more prevalent than they were two weeks ago.  As I sat in a rest shelter and peered across the lake, the scene before me looked like a beautiful painting.  The sky was clear and blue.  The water was calm and the leaves were a variety of reds, greens and yellows.

I could hear the waterfowl on the lake and a flock of cranes overhead.  A bluejay landed on a branch just outside the shelter.  It cocked its head as it watched me through an opening.  I think it intended to swoop in and grab some of my lunch.  Just as I went for my camera, it flew into a higher tree and began squawking at me.  A slight breeze rustled the leaves.  The forest sounds made for a relaxing 15 minute break.

There are fenced grazing areas within the recreation area.  I found one that still had cattle in it.  As I approached, the cows stood up, watched and mooed warnings to their young.

I visited the sandy hill that housed a number of garter snakes earlier in the summer.  A number of holes in the bank were visible but no snakes.  As I hiked from the hill to the parking lot, I hoped to see snakes sunning themselves along the trail.  The only one that I did see was the size of a twig

and living dangerously as it rested in the middle of the path used by cyclists.

I thought I would see more than one snake along the trail.  They are on the move.  When I drove to the park, three of them crossed the road in front of me.  Thirteen didn't make it.  They were hit by vehicles.  This created a feast for the crows and ravens on the pavement.

It appears that the next week will be sunny and warm.  The little blast of snow a week ago was just a winter teaser.  There is still some yard work to be done and windows to be washed but the colors of autumn don't last very long so I'll be taking advantage of the sunny days to hike and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of fall as Mother Nature gets ready for a long nap.