ᐅᑭᐊᖅ - ukiaq - autumn

As summer ended, the fall season has turned the tundra into a mix of browns, yellows, oranges and reds. I did not expect these vibrant fall colors. The flowers seeded into various shapes of fluff balls so the wind can spread them across rocky ground. The ocean seemed to change colors from blue to a steely grey. The wind carries an icy reminder, sending us scrambling for our toques. The berries have softened and sweetened. Berry pickers go out for hours a day and are selling their produce for about $50 per large ziploc bag. Yum yum yum! Our first snow was September 4, but the snowflakes melted almost as fast as they hit the ground. It has been a quiet and beautiful transition from summer to fall and winter is fast approaching.

Arctic cotton blowing in the breeze

Even the grass shares in fall colors

The nonstop wind spreads these plants all over the tundra

This one is huge!

Berries nestled under the foliage

Brilliant reds

An Arctic blueberry

Reindeer lichen

Tundra by the Sylvia Grinnell River