Autumn is my favorite time of year because I enjoy the brilliant tree color, the crisp leaves that fall to the ground, and the geese that fly over on their way to a winter home.

Part of what makes fall color and migration interesting is that we don’t know everything about them. We just know that they happen every year, and that they’ve been around for many centuries.

We know that fall color happens as chlorophyll disappears from the leaves. It might be triggered by a reduction in the amount of daylight. Lower average temperatures might also contribute.

Fall color progresses gradually from north to south. Northern Minnesota is usually at its peak while the southern portion of the state is just getting started.

Migration is just as much of a mystery. It involves two major questions about how geese and monarch butterflies get from place to place.

The first question is how exactly they know when to go. As with fall color, the shorter day length and cooler temperatures might be factors. They always know when it’s time.

The other question is how they know where to go. They don’t just fly south at random. Instead they go to specific destinations year after year.

It might come down to a sixth sense, to a built in road map that tells them how to get to the places they belong. They can’t reason it out the way humans would. They must have some other attribute that keeps them on track.

When I was a small child I wanted to know everything. If I asked mom or dad a question at age 5 or 6 and they didn’t know, I’d respond by saying they had to know.

As I got older I realized that adults didn’t know everything. I thought it would be nice, however, if someday scientists discovered all the secrets to things like fall color and migration. I thought it would be helpful to know.

Now that I’ve been an adult for many years, I’m more content to just let the secrets remain hidden. Maybe there are some things only God should know about. Maybe we’re not intended to know the complete story.

I know that fall is beautiful for the same reason a painting, mural or photograph is beautiful. It’s visually pleasing. It provides a backdrop that brightens up the day.

Autumn is also invigorating. I need a jacket to sit out on the patio with morning coffee. I can go for a long walk without becoming hot or cold.

Probably the only thing not to like about fall is that it’s a short season. We’re just now at the point where we no longer have summer heat. There will most likely be snow on the ground within eight weeks.

I never quite feel ready for winter or for Christmas. It’s important not to dread them as we progress through fall. Instead we should enjoy each day.

We’re very fortunate in the Marshall area to have plenty of outdoor places to enjoy the colors and the cool temperatures.

There’s Camden State Park, Garvin County Park, the Southwest Minnesota State University wildlife area, the Wayside Rest and a really nice set of city parks. They all have plenty to offer as the colors change.

I look forward to more years of enjoying the fall season. I no longer go for the long hikes I used to take, but still enjoy shorter nature walks. When I get old and can’t do that, I’ll just enjoy getting out for drives.

Let’s enjoy fall while it lasts. It’s a time of year with many rewards, most of which are available for free.

— Jim Muchlinski is a longtime reporter and contributor to the Marshall Independent