"See yonder leafless tree against the sky,
How they diffuse themselves into the air,
And ever subdividing separate,
Limbs into branches, branches into twigs,
As if they loved the element, & hasted
To dissipate their being into it."
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
There hasn't been much sunlight the past couple of weekends, but that hasn't stopped me from hitting the trails at Pheasant Branch. The cool, muted skies seem to amplify the subtle changes that mark this in-between season, where autumn finally hands over its reins to winter.
Bird-wise, the scene is shifting. American Tree Sparrows have moved in, bringing with them their soft, musical calls that always feel like a whisper of winter. Yet, the White-crowned Sparrows linger, their crisp black-and-white head stripes standing out against the fading landscape. It's a quiet, transitional time—perfect for contemplative hikes and listening to nature's subtle cues. Other birds during the hike included Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawks, Sandhill Cranes, Canada Geese, American Goldfinches, Dark-eyed Juncos, and a lone White-throated Sparrow.
Did you know that the Pheasant Branch Springs discharge an average of 1,760 gallons per minute? That's a massive amount of water, and it's the kind of steady flow that keeps the wetland habitat vibrant, even in drier times. This constant flow nourishes the surrounding vegetation and provides a critical water source for wildlife, from amphibians to birds, including the sparrows I've been seeing lately.
I stumbled upon some tree fungus that caught my attention. Amidst the earthy tones of russet, tan, and brown that dominate the landscape this time of year, these fungi seemed like little bursts of color—white, blue, and green patterns—standing out in sharp contrast.
With December and the end of the year fast approaching, it's a time for reflection. The seasons, as always, remind us of nature's cycles—how everything changes, sometimes slowly and sometimes suddenly, but always moving forward. As the year winds down, it's a good opportunity to pause and appreciate the beauty of both the fleeting moments and the enduring constants in our lives.
In Nature, just as in life, there's always something new to witness, something unexpected to discover. As the year draws to a close, it's a time for reflection—not just on the challenges we've faced, but on the things that separate us, the new tensions that have emerged, and the stark differences in how we view the world. While hope for growth and change remains, it's clear that the path forward will require reckoning with these divides, not pretending they don't exist. The coming seasons will bring more challenges, but also the possibility for clearer truths—whether we're ready for them or not.
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell