November 25

Wednesday, as firearm hunting season continued, Remi and I found refuge while hiking at Pine River Park in Alma. The early morning weather was mostly sunny with a temperature of 30 degrees and no wind. We exited the car and hiked west on a paved trail where some of the season’s first snowfall remained after yesterday’s thaw. Continuing along the steep riverbank, I paused to watch the sunrise over the glassy water. Further ahead, I noticed some fresh squirrel  tracks as well as a few Dark-eyed Juncos fluttering to and fro. Considered a sign of the season, these birds migrate here in the winter from their summer breeding grounds in the boreal forests of Canada and Alaska. Turning south away from the river, I followed a path into a mature woodlot where the thawing snow revealed a layer of brittle oak leaves. Turning east toward the rising sun, I watched a nervous Whitetail cross the path in front of me. Also, on the ground, I detected Raccoon tracks, well preserved in the frozen mud. Exiting this deciduous woods, I turned south, followed the trail as it circled to the east and entered a dense coniferous woods where I spotted one from a small flock of Robins that may spend the winter in this sheltered area. Gazing through the leafless underbrush, I was somewhat surprised to observe another deer not more than 30 feet away. Along the edge of the woods, I looked up to watch a large flock of Cedar Waxwings move and perch among the tree branches. On the ground, I was intrigued by the mottled design in the snow cover formed by prior melt-water dripping from overhead branches. Just before the end of my hike, nature’s version of Xmas colors caught my eye that being the green of Norway spruce and the red of Viburnum berries. Finally, we completed the loop back to the car and headed home.

Deep in November

Signs of winter show

Last leaves of green

First cover of snow

Creatures seek shelter

Squirrel finds its lair

Herons finally gone

Oaks finally bare

Gone, chirping cricket

No more singing bird

Nature quiets down

Only whispers heard

D. DeGraaf