On a fall hike in the middle grasslands of Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area, there was sunny conditions and lots to see.    The spring and summer wildflowers had passed in the summer drought conditions, but a few late season flowers were still in bloom,    Mustard family  (Sisymbrium loeselii) was still growing in a robust manner in areas where moisture could be retained. 

Fleabane (Erigeron sp.) was still flowering on south-facing slopes

Chicory was in the last stages, producing seeds, but a few flowers could be seen.   Cold, dewy nights and frost will end this cycle.

A number of photos are shared here.   Click and image for a lightbox view and a caption.

mustard

pickleweed

rabbitfoot grass

dalmatian toadflax

chicory

mullein

harebells

White sweet clover (Melilotus albus) was at the end of its flowering cycle, but a few late bloomers could still be spotted.     Its sweet smell was welcome in the fall.

There is usually a lot of pickleweed (Salicornia europaea) around the shores of the largest ponds, providing a red ring around the shoreline, but in a drought summer, there was only a couple of plants growing back from the dry areas around the pond.  

A few curly cup gumweed (Grindella squarrosa) was spotted in the grasslands.

Sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis) surrounded some of the ponds, some in seed and a few in flower.

Most of the flowering plants in the grasslands were weedy varieties, the last ones to continue to bloom before the fall frosts.