I almost forgot to walk the path around the lake today. I was mesmerized by the sun shining its golden rays on the oaks, populars, hickories, and beeches. Then I recalled that the prediction for tomorrow is a mix of snoe and rain and may not be a good time to walk. So I bundled up on this 32 degree morning and headed out with a smile – ready to greet the day and all that I would discover out in nature, maybe even find other species also preparing for the snow.

The first thing I noticed were the wet stripes on the paved paths – amazing how they treat the paths and the roads here in Columbia – but highly appreciated by the older crowd that tend to walk the trails daily. I also noticed how the beeches and oaks held on to their tan colored leaves – for some reason or other. I love how many strategies are involked by all parts of the natural world. Look up marcessence.

I noticed black buzzards gliding high overhead and a few red-shoulder hawks calling to one another. I smiled at the multi-hued mosses and ferns and the still green skirt of aquatic primrose on the edges of the lake. The lake was also decorated with interlocking, one to three-foot long crystals of ice that had not been here yesterday nor the one-to-six inch bubbles of methane from the decaying aquatic vegetation on the lake floor. I marvel at the laws of physics and the sense of order I feel walking around in the woods.

A raft of hooded mergansers saw me before i saw them as they skittishly made for the far shore. They were accompanied by a lone, white and gray seagull hanging with them. I also caught a glimpse of a bluebird and a full display of plumage on a great blue heron dining on sunfish. Gray squirrels scattered about, deeply focused on their mating routine that uses physical chases to court their mates. Formations of Canada geese took to the skies as I passed. I saw no persimmons and no wild grapes but did see the cedar waxwings and robins, downing as many fermented crabapples as possible, their drunken chatter filled the branches on this beautiful day.

I wondered how this might all change with the weather – not just, this weekend’s storm but the longer term impacts from a warming climate. I wonder what I will do. I have thought about this now for decades and have changed some of my behaviors. We have done a lot, but there is so much more we can do. I will try to consider the Earth and its fragile veneer of an atmosphere in everything I do this year. I want my kids and their kids to benefit as much as I have from our lush, goldilocks climate.