Technically it is still summer until September 23, the autumn equinox. But above the Arctic Circle, autumn is well under way with winter weather close behind.
Fall color started around a month ago and just passed its peak. First the small brush and grasses started turning yellow and red. Then the willows began turning yellow and then the aspen. Most of the smaller shrubs and willows have lost their leaves, but a few of the aspen are just beginning to turn.
Termination dust (the first snow) blanketed the tops of the peaks in the southern Brooks Range yesterday. The northern part of the range was buried in a several inches of snow last week.
Another sign that winter is coming is the snowshoe hare. Yesterday one darted across the road in front of me and I couldn’t miss its snow white feet–already changing into its winter wardrobe. Before long we will have snow in Bettles and the hare will blend right in. Winter is just around the corner.
