Walk into autumn with monarch butterflies at the new Potato Creek prairie maze

The osprey pair at Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty have left their nesting pole for the fall migration south. But, within sight across the park road, a maze of fresh, Bush Hog-cut trails twist through the prairie, currently a sea of tall yellow wildflowers.

The park has carved its annual prairie maze in a new site. This autumn offering is now across from the dam and Worster Lake, chosen because it’s a larger area and also because it accesses a wetland where, if you’re lucky, you may spy one of the great egrets that have been stopping over for a few weeks on their southward migration, full-time park naturalist Jessica Filer says.

These temporary paths immerse you into fall’s early colors as seen in native prairie wildflowers, including goldenrod, purple asters, ironweed and a towering, sunflower-like plant called compass flowers. In the heat of the day, you see monarch butterflies dine on the flowers' nectar before launching their 3,000-mile migrations to Mexico, which many have already begun. Also plentiful are crickets and bees who are too obsessed with pollen to bug you.

Filer says hawks sometimes perch on the trail signs in the morning, and owls perch in the evening.

To reach this year’s new route, park in the West Lot. From the road, watch for the lot’s sign closely because you can easily drive by it. Follow the grass trail at the left side of the lot as you enter (not the bike path). That 0.2-mile path leads to the road where you cross and then enter the maze. You also can drive to the road crossing, which is marked with temporary signs, to drop off passengers for the maze, but you can’t park there.

This is the same prairie whose grasses are burned in the spring to encourage new growth.

The maze itself isn’t a true maze — more of a twisting path, marked with signs. Along the way, you read the 21 illustrated storybook panels of "Box Turtle at Long Pond," by William T. George, which tells the story of how a box turtle seeks food when it is more scarce in the fall. This storybook path is nearly one mile long. But you also can opt for a perimeter trail, at nearly 0.4 miles long, that’s shaped like a turtle. You can’t really see the turtle shape unless you’re flying in the air. The inner and outer trails intersect for some quick exits, but it’s hard to get lost. You can pick up a map at the front gate, office or nature center.

You’ll need good, solid shoes. No sandals or open toes that could get poked by stiffly cut plant stems. The ground is very lumpy, too. Mind your ankles.

The maze is open through Nov. 13. When you’re done, you can take a short, grassy trail to the lakeshore, also accessible from the West Lot.

Autumn begins today

• River races: Friends of the St. Joe River will host its 18th annual races Saturday at Veterans’ Memorial Park, on Northside Boulevard west of Ironwood Drive in South Bend. It will include a biathlon (5K run and 3-mile paddle), a 5K run and a 3-mile or 7.2-mile paddling race for either solo or team/family competitors. It starts with registration at 7:30 a.m., race meeting at 8:30 a.m. and then the races. There’s a single $20 fee per person for all races. Details and registration are at www.fotsjr.org/event-4263865.

• Res open house: The Mishawaka Res, a private preserve with trails that’s open daily to the public, will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday with live music, crafts, pony rides (1-3 p.m.), a bounce house, caricatures and a scavenger hunt, plus hot dogs and snacks for purchase. Visitors can see this summer’s upgrades, including new siding and repairs to the Kiwanis Cabin, renovated public restrooms and two Eagle Scout projects: new benches and a new boardwalk. The cost is free, but donations are welcome to help maintain the preserve. The first 50 people to pledge a Res membership get a free T-shirt. The Res is at 13950 Scout Lane, Mishawaka. Follow the signs from Lincoln Way just east of Capital Avenue.

• Bike swap meet: The Avenue Bicycle Station, 2716 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, will host a swap meet from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday along with the Hard Pedals Bicycle Club. It will include an array of bikes and parts, from vintage to BMX. The public is welcome to set up a table outside for free and sell their stuff, too. Free hot dogs will be served.

• Native plant hike: Harbor Country Hikers President will explain how to promote native plants and enhance, rather than stress, the habitat during a hike at 10 a.m. Saturday at Harbert Road Preserve, north of Three Oaks. The preserve is on Harbert Road just east of Three Oaks Road and the Interstate 94 overpass.

• Free parks: Indiana State Parks will offer free admission Sunday to mark National Lands Day.

• Free fishing: Saturday is the last of Indiana’s free fishing days for 2021, where state residents don’t need a fishing license or trout/salmon stamp. All other rules apply, such as seasons, bag and size limits. St. Patrick’s and Ferrettie-Baugo Creek county parks will allow free entry for those coming to fish (show them your pole).

• Waggin’ in the Woods: The Elkhart Environmental Center, 1717 E. Lusher Ave., will host this family- and dog-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday with a “pooch parade” (which anyone can join at 2 p.m., with awards for the best costumed pet), along with guided nature walks, pet-themed vendors, $15 microchips for pets, training demonstrations and other activities. Entry is free with the donation of any pet food or pet supply. Dogs are allowed at the center year-round but must be on a leash. Link to the event’s Facebook page at www.WagginInTheWoods.com. The event is done in conjunction with the Facebook group Tracking in the Shadows – Rescuing Lost Dogs.

• Black River paddle: The Two Rivers Coalition will host a paddle Sunday on the Black River near South Haven. The group will meet at 10 a.m. where Baseline Road crosses the river’s north branch. From Interstate 196, you can get off at the Phoenix Road interchange and go west, then north onto the Blue Star Highway until you reach Baseline. Turn right to reach the river. The group will unload boats, park along the road’s shoulder, then depart by 10:30 a.m. They’ll paddle upstream in the mild current for up to 90 minutes, then double back. Bring your own boat, gear and life vest.

• Pioneer Days: Historically clad re-enactors will bring back the old days where families can experience outdoor cooking, crafts, candle dipping, wagon rides, food and other activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT Saturday and Sunday at Creek Ridge County Park, 7943 W. County Road 400 N., Michigan City. From U.S. 421, south of the city and U.S. 20, go 2 miles east on 400 North. Admission costs $2 per adult, $1 per child or senior and free for those 4 and younger. The park will close Friday to prepare for the event.

• Voyageur canoes: The nonprofit group Wilderness Inquiry will provide two local chances for the public to paddle in its 24-foot Canoemobile for free. First will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT Saturday for the Trail Creek Week Family Fun Day, which will be at Hansen Park, 100 E St., Michigan City (from Michigan Boulevard south of U.S. 12, turn east on Eighth Street, then left on E Street); link to the Facebook events page here in this column online. The second chance will be the Kankakee Marsh Campfire and Paddle from 4 to 7 p.m. CDT Sept. 30 at the Tamarack Lake boat launch at the Kingsbury Fish & Wildlife Area. This will include S’mores and historical storytelling about French fur traders and Native Americans. Kingsbury’s main entrance is at 5344 S. Hupp Road, LaPorte. To reach the boat launch, I'm told that the best way is from Indiana 104, which runs northwest of Walkerton. Look for the sign on 104 leading to the Mixsawbah fish hatchery, likely along County Road South 675 East. LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District and the LaPorte County Public Library are organizing this event. Find a registration link here in this column online. Limited to the first 54 paddlers.

Follow Outdoor Adventures columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures. Contact him at 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.