Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
Fall is a favorite time of year for amateur and professional photographers to capture the breathtaking array of colors throughout Bluff County.
Snap a picture as the wind softly sends colorful red, yellow, brown, and green leaves drifting to the ground.
On a sunny day, fields come alive with brilliant shades of gold, yellow, and brown as the harvest season creates picturesque landscapes.
One memorable photo opportunity is capturing the sun rising over the horizon and illuminating the golden tops of the cornfields. The fields seem to glow in the early morning light.
The golden hours – shortly after sunrise or an hour before sunset – are perfect times to take photographs. These peaceful hours are also ideal for exploring Bluff Country, when fewer people are out and about.
Rustic red barns, bright white farmhouses, and sky-blue silos stand out beautifully against the rich colors of autumn and add wonderful contrast to a fall photograph.
A favorite fall drive is Hwy. 43 from Mabel to Rushford. The curvy road winds through tree-covered hills offer breathtaking scenery. There are several places to pull over and capture colorful landscapes, as well as photographs of rushing water.
Other favorite scenic overlooks include the Brownsville Overlook, with its views of the mighty Mississippi River and dancing swans, and the overlook near Preston on the Historic Bluff Scenic County Scenic Byway.
Don’t forget to explore the scenic byways that meander through Bluff Country. They include the Great River Road, Apple Blossom Scenic Byway, Historic Bluff Country National Scenic Byway, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Highway, Amish Byway, and Shooting Star Scenic Byway.
Fall festivals and visits to pumpkin patches, apple orchards, or flower farms offer even more opportunities to capture a palette of rich, warm, earthy tones. Kids enjoying sweet corn with butter running down their face is another fun and memorable composition, as can a woman enjoying a thick, delicious tasting green apple shake.
Prairies and marshlands also make beautiful subjects. Monarch butterflies emerge in the fall, and their rich colors stand out against tall grasses and fields of cheerful sunflowers.
Upcoming Events
•September 18-20, Applefest, La Crescent, Minnesota
•September 19, Fall for Harmony, Harmony, Minnesota
•September 19, Apple Harvest Car & Bike Show, La Crescent, Minnesota
•October 2-4, Uffda Fest, Spring Grove, Minnesota
•October 3, Fall into Lanesboro, Lanesboro, Minnesota
Do not forget to pick up your free copy of Visit Bluff Country at one of more than 1,000 locations across 35 counties in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Visit Bluff Country magazine is dedicated to promoting tourism throughout scenic Bluff Country.
For festival updates, travel ideas, and recommendations on where to eat, play, and sleep, visit us online at www.visitbluffcountry.com.
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