A Lonely Path

The transition between late winter and early spring is a difficult time.  As humans, we want it now.  We want spring to be here.  We crave the warming sun, the spring wildflowers, the change to better times.  Nature does not care what we want.  She will do things in her own fashion as she has done them for eons.  She is waking the woods.  The signs are there.  But it awakens slowly, as it should, as the time is right.  No need to rush these things.

(Side Note - this image was made four days before the vernal equinox.  Even though it was almost spring, the woods had a very "fall like" feel to it.)

The New Year

My first venture back to the woods, of this new year, did not reveal anything surprising.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine and temperatures in the mid 40s.  Deer were moving about, but kept their distance.  One small buck made a mad dash away when he felt I had gotten a little too close.  Squirrels scurried about the leaf covered forest floor as they always do.  Redtails watched from the tops of trees and glided effortlessly in the wind when they flew.  Their raspy call fills me with a sense of being in the wild and that I am not alone.  I like the woods in winter, as well as every season, really.  The winter woods is open, exposing all of it's secret places that cannot be easily found when it is awake and alive with thick green leaves.  I find it interesting being able to see further back into previously unseen areas and knowing now, what is there.  As near as I can tell, the woods is resting peacefully and will begin to awaken soon.  I'll be ready, whenever it is.

The Restful Woods

The cool, heavy air makes things quieter in the woods.  With the pungent smell of decaying leaves, the sound of squirrels scurrying through the leaves gathering nuts for winter, the north wind and an impending rain, I can tell that Autumn has us firmly in it's grasp. You can hear a single leaf fall from the tree all the way to ground if you listen hard enough.  Yes, the woods is going to sleep.  Sleep well my friend.  I'll check on you from time to time, until you awaken again.