Signs
Photo by: Phil Miller
The rush of wings and clamor of blackbirds broke the quiet in the woods today. Starlings and blackbirds are flocking together in fields and woods. A sure sign that autumn is approaching. That, along with the unmistakable angle of the sun, so different from just a few weeks ago.
Cumulus clouds are in more abundance and they have been as beautiful as I have ever witnessed. Or, maybe I am just noticing things more these days; as this autumn begins and mine nears its end. Whatever the reason, the signs are clear. Like the air and the water.
A damp piece of moss lies in the path. A sign that some creature has just passed this way moments ago. A flat-ended brown and black feather .....of what? Hawk, turkey? Securing this magical find, I make a mental note to look that up later. Two acorns, still green, have been cut from the oak by squirrels and left to tumble to their rest.
A broken spider’s web has caught a leaf and dangles midway across the path. The suspended leaf, captured in its fall, turns in the sunlight showing its changing colors from green to red. A few feet more down the path and another web is seen. This one is occupied! The black and yellow web owner freezes at my approach. He senses me as I sense him. I wonder in what colors and form I appear to him.
The walnut crop seems sparse and their green hides are thicker than usual. But that distinct odor of walnut is the same from year to year. Hickory nuts hit limbs and leaves on the way down and send a sharp, cracking report through the woods. Some of them strike three or more limbs before making it to the ground. One always stops to listen for the sound of moving squirrels in the hickories following the sound of falling nuts.
Through the thinning foliage I can see the lake’s shimmer in the distance. With the leaves down it is a bit more of a challenge to be stealthy on the path. One broken twig and wildlife is ever alert for the next several minutes. You might as well stop right there and sit. If you intend to view wildlife on the move after that snap, find cover and wait it out. You’re caught!
Phil Miller
The rush of wings and clamor of blackbirds broke the quiet in the woods today. Starlings and blackbirds are flocking together in fields and woods. A sure sign that autumn is approaching. That, along with the unmistakable angle of the sun, so different from just a few weeks ago.
Cumulus clouds are in more abundance and they have been as beautiful as I have ever witnessed. Or, maybe I am just noticing things more these days; as this autumn begins and mine nears its end. Whatever the reason, the signs are clear. Like the air and the water.
A damp piece of moss lies in the path. A sign that some creature has just passed this way moments ago. A flat-ended brown and black feather .....of what? Hawk, turkey? Securing this magical find, I make a mental note to look that up later. Two acorns, still green, have been cut from the oak by squirrels and left to tumble to their rest.
A broken spider’s web has caught a leaf and dangles midway across the path. The suspended leaf, captured in its fall, turns in the sunlight showing its changing colors from green to red. A few feet more down the path and another web is seen. This one is occupied! The black and yellow web owner freezes at my approach. He senses me as I sense him. I wonder in what colors and form I appear to him.
The walnut crop seems sparse and their green hides are thicker than usual. But that distinct odor of walnut is the same from year to year. Hickory nuts hit limbs and leaves on the way down and send a sharp, cracking report through the woods. Some of them strike three or more limbs before making it to the ground. One always stops to listen for the sound of moving squirrels in the hickories following the sound of falling nuts.
Through the thinning foliage I can see the lake’s shimmer in the distance. With the leaves down it is a bit more of a challenge to be stealthy on the path. One broken twig and wildlife is ever alert for the next several minutes. You might as well stop right there and sit. If you intend to view wildlife on the move after that snap, find cover and wait it out. You’re caught!
Phil Miller
posted by Phil | 1:13 PM
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