Fall Colors Peak This Week

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Hodgson and the Waterloo Natural History Association for the information and photo gallery in this column.)

Attention local leaf peepers. It’s now or next year. Our maximum color usually occurs between Oct.22-23.

A color and crane viewing map is available at the Discovery Center that includes a recommended backroads driving route through the Waterloo Recreation Area to view the fall colors and to see sandhill cranes feeding in local fields.

Don’t wait until next week. By then, most of the color will be on the ground, the leaf peeping season will be over and the leaf raking season will begin. Those who can’t make it up north to enjoy the color should be pleasantly surprised that Chelsea color is just as good.

The 10,000 sandhill cranes that are in the area will be an added bonus that you won’t find up north.