If you were on the river recently, you might have seen yellow streaking the banks, soaring sandhill cranes, or feisty fish.

It’s the time of year we trade hot sun and warm water for colorful bluffs and solitary silence. It gets dark early but the short days are busy with life.

With your help, St. Croix 360 can keep sharing river stories as long as the river is flowing — even when it’s under ice.

The river is wildest when the weather gets cold. A person can feel pretty small out there.

This is when migrating birds far outnumber people. They rest in its calm backwaters and follow it like a map for their journey south. Osprey and eagles sore over the water and songbirds flit among trees.

Each day brings subtle changes. Each exploration offers surprises.

This is a beautiful season, but there’s no denying summer’s growth is over. Swimming is only for the young and brave now.

Whether or not you’re on the river much in the coming months, St. Croix 360 will keep reporting and exploring. We bring the river to you during all four seasons.

Please contribute today and help keep the river stories flowing. Thank you!