December 14

On a cold, overcast morning, I proceed west along a paved path in Alma’s Conservation Park and pause to observe a pair of Mallards swim through the mirrored surface of the Pine River Millpond. Just ahead, a sun-less view of the watercourse from the deck is in sharp contrast to the sunny view from a week ago. Nearby, I notice a perching Fox squirrel and a thin layer of ice forming near shore. Turning inland, I proceed south past the Girl Scout cabin and stop to take a close look at a patch of British Soldier lichens growing on a stump. This lichen’s claim to fame, of course, is its bright red top, which some think is reminiscent of the red jackets worn by the British “Red Coats” during the Revolutionary War. In fact, this is the lichen’s fruiting body, its reproductive structure or “apothecia” that contain spores. Following a trail along the south end of the park, I enter a dense coniferous forest of mature White pine, Red pine and White spruce. After following the meandering trail that is also used by mountain bikers, I exit into a clearing where I spot some deer scat and a fresh Opossum carcass. Opossums are one of nature’s most misunderstood animals. They’re often thought of as dimwitted and dirty creatures. The truth is just the opposite: They’re smarter, cleaner, and more beneficial to humans than many of their woodland neighbors. In North America, the words “opossum” and “possum” mean the same creature, but in Australia the word possum refers to a completely different animal known as a Brushtail Possum (stock photo). Next, I walk over to the Eyer Learning Circle of six outward-facing benches to take in the late Autumn landscape and sit for a few minutes on the north-facing bench. My last stop is the bird observation hut where I pause to observe a Dark-eyed Junco on the feeder. While I’m not surprised to see this bird, a winter-only resident in the park, I am surprised to see it up on the feeder rather than on the ground where it normally forages for seeds that have fallen. Although still considered common, current data show that Dark-eyed Junco populations declined by over 40 percent in the last several decades. Like many other bird species, this one is vulnerable to habitat loss.

 

Deep in the woods    

Noises cease              

Sounds subdued

Nature at peace

Mid of December

End of the year

Mother prepares

Slumber is near

Tucks her children

Turns down the light

Covers them up

With a blanket of white

 

D, DeGraaf