Streams are running again in the woods as if it were spring. Everywhere, I can hear the sound of running water. This provides a respite for the woodland creatures that sometimes have a hard time locating running water during the winter. It won’t last, of course, because winter hasn’t really even begun to sink its teeth in, but while it’s here, the water is running clean, fresh, and fast and a walk in the woods can be a wonderful thing.
Most of the snow is gone in town because of the temporary
warm up, but in the woods it lingers.
Once the ground freezes, the snow hugs it and the two do not like to be
separated. I think the ground loves its
new white coat and does not want to give it up.
Well, it won’t have to do so, at least not for a good four months. It’s still so beautiful here where there is
no asphalt to beat the snow away. The
great part is that fogs rise everywhere in odd and haunting patterns. Behind every turn in the woods is a small
fog, or sometimes a very large fog, rising and swirling and steaming. It really is an otherworldly sight, but I’m
not sure that I can capture it on camera.
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| A stream that shouldn't be here right now. |
Along with the sound of running water in the woods is the
“crashing” sound. It’s the crashing and
cracking and slamming of ice as it melts.
If you’re near any kind of running water that has built ice up near the
shore, this kind of warm weather causes structural breakdown of the ice and
huge chunks can break off and smash against the riverbanks. It is very loud. Again, it’s a spring sound and not a winter
sound, and it makes me jump because I’m not expecting it.
But I’m not expecting anything, really. I’ll take it as it comes and just enjoy this
rare winter opportunity to run through the woods as if it were spring. How lucky am I!
