Fall is a lovely and comfortable season, with cooler and
drier days and, of course, the obvious colors of brilliant, beautiful foliage. We even have many flowers still blooming, adding to the eye candy. How do we get to take it all in?
By getting out, perhaps with cameras or simply our imagination, to find some very nice subjects and places. Knowing of or finding special places is helpful when looking for colorful vistas, such as the bog at Gowing’s Swamp, with its red cranberries and yellow larch trees, or a red maple at Heywood’s Meadow.
The start of summer is a wonderful time of year here in Concord, with vegetation flourishing, birds and wildlife busily thriving, and warm, comfortable days inviting us outdoors. As we wander the trails and conserved lands or boat along our Wild & Scenic Rivers, we make a point
of keeping our eyes open,
because there is so much to see.
Heywood Meadow is a preserved space for all ages to enjoy. The protected land is not a park, but rather serves as a historic cultural spot that connects several parcels to create one of Concord’s oldest open spaces close to the town center.
The six-plus acres currently encompass mowed walking paths, the Mill Brook, stone walls, mature trees, native plants, flowers, and grasses.
As spring approaches, we, along with much of the wildlife, look forward to its changes: fresh green leaves, blooming flowers, fruit tree blossoms, and more. The landscape takes on a warmer glow, and Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge is no exception.
No matter the season, nature has something to offer—but fall, with its vibrant colors and crisp air, is especially stunning. Nature is full of things to see, smell, touch, and photograph. Let’s get out and experience it.
“October is the month for painted leaves,” Henry Thoreau wrote in 1860. “Their rich glow now flashes round the world.” And while it’s true that other parts
of the world experience autumnal tints every year,
they seem to be brighter and more vivid in New England.
Nature is springing forth and so is Patriots’ Day! And this year is very special as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War with the battles of Lexington and Concord.
“The Shot Heard Around the World.” Wow!
Concord’s status as a Mecca for nature writers gains an international dimension this summer. The renowned British writer Robert Macfarlane will accept the 2025 Thoreau Prize on June 7 at the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord. The honor is given annually by the Thoreau Society to a writer whose work embodies Henry David Thoreau’s commitment to “speak a word for Nature.” In this year of celebrating the 250th anniversary of Concord’s role in the American Revolution, Robert Macfarlane will visit Concord to spark another revolution in how we see the world around us, calling on all of us to preserve our most precious legacy – the Nature we all call home.
Early this year, National Park Service archeologists working at Minute Man National Historical Park discovered five musket balls that were fired during the
world-changing event known as “The Shot Heard Round the World” on April 19, 1775.
Early analysis of the 18th-century musket balls indicates they were fired by colonial militia members at British forces during the North Bridge fight.
