<body><div>Autumn's arrival earlier this week has us excited for cool days and park trails blanketed with colorful crisp leaves. If you're in the mood for a break in nature, check out these suggested locations to explore this fall. Tenney Park, 1650 Sherman Ave. is a favorite place for observing birds and fall colors! Explore the lake path around the picturesque lagoon and along the Yahara River for scenic fall views. Look for tiny migrating Warblers flitting in the trees and colorful ducks, geese and other waterfowl on the water. Where are they coming from? What are they doing? Where are they going? Bring binoculars or a camera if you have one. Try to identify and learn more about the birds you see. Our nature experts suggest the website All About Birds to help you identify and learn more about the many birds you'll spot around Tenney Park.Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park - North Unit, 6098 N Sherman Ave. <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4MbaTN_0vkz8ZLZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4MbaTN_0vkz8ZLZ00" width="676" height="507" ></figure>Take the River trail to the Hickory Island boardwalk (named after the hickory trees) for a great view of the marsh and go back up the trail to the Overlook trail through the woods. In fall, leaf colors change with shortening hours of daylight. The sugar-making green chlorophyll 'solar panels' shut down, the leaf petioles detach, and energy is stored over winter in the roots. As leaves drop the structures of tree branch patterns and leaf shapes become more apparent. Can you tell a native Wisconsin white oak from a red oak? A basswood? Use a guidebook or app such as Seek to try and identify some of the trees by their leaves, bark, branches, colors and seeds. TRAIL MAPPhoto Credit: Jan Axelson, Friends of Cherokee MarshPhoto Credit: Brian Shore Turville Point Conservation Park, 1156 Olin-Turville Court <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0HiUTo_0vkz8ZLZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0HiUTo_0vkz8ZLZ00" width="676" height="507" ></figure>Start your walk through the woodsy path from the parking lot to the restored prairie. Continue along the winding nature trails for spectacular views of ancient pine groves and colorful autumn trees. If feeling adventurous you can follow a bit steeper paths down to the Lake Monona shoreline and circle back to the prairie and parking lot. Try to identify some of the many trees by their leaves, bark, branches, colors and seeds. Why do leaves change colors? Why do leaves fall in autumn? What colors are typical of different tree species? TRAIL MAPWarner Park, 2930 N. Sherman Ave.Reflections and Change Take a fall nature walk on the easy paths along the Warner Lagoon, through the quiet Warner Woods and up to the sled hill for a beautiful view of the Wild Side of Warner Park. Enjoy the changing colors and seasonal transformations. What do you remember from previous years about colors changing, birds flocking, seed harvests, warm days, cool nights and more? Bring those memories and make a few new ones as you explore how this fall compares with the past. Will you see dragonflies, late wildflowers blooming, Sandhill Cranes, or tracks in the snow? Visit Wild Warner to learn more.Edna Taylor Conservation Park, 330 Femrite Drive <figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4deE6S_0vkz8ZLZ00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4deE6S_0vkz8ZLZ00" width="676" height="507" ></figure>Can you spot a tree changing colors? A frog or bug that has not yet snuggled in for winter? Canada geese honking and gathering? A robin eating worms or berries to fatten up for migration? A junco (grey bird with white edges on the tail) that has arrived from further up north? A yellow leaf? Milkweed pod seeds floating in the wind? Make your own nature adventure list of interesting things you find. Edna Taylor Conservation Park connects to the trails of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center and nearby Woodland Park in Monona. TRAIL MAPMore Fall Activities<ul><li>Bird &amp; Nature Adventures: Take a guided, volunteer-led walk in nature. </li><li>Hayrides &amp; Hikes: Set for Saturday, October 19 at Cherokee Marsh Conservation Park, North Unit. </li><li>Reserve a Hayride: See the Holiday Fantasy in Lights through Olin Park aboard a haywagon! You can reserve one for your group up to 20 people. </li><li>HIKING for more suggestions throughout Madison Parks. </li></ul></div></body>

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Take a Hike in Madison Parks

Autumn's arrival earlier this week has us excited for cool days and park trails blanketed with colorful crisp leaves. If you're in the mood for a break in nature, check out these suggested locations to explore this fall. Tenney Park, 1650 Sherman Ave. is a favorite place for observing birds...