I’ll rise up on Christmas morning with no expectations.
There is nothing Santa might stick with it his sleigh that may surpass the wondrous issues nature has bestowed upon me within the final 12 months. That’s why I’ve by no means printed a Christmas “want” listing. This is the time for thanks:
- I’m eternally grateful for the tune of the white-throated sparrow. This tiny little chook has a tune that cuts via the cacophony of nature’s early morning serenade. The notes are crisp, clear, light-hearted.
It’s inconceivable to ascribe a that means or motive to the tune, however it appears to inform me “This is going to be a beautiful day.”
- 2021 was an irruptive 12 months for night grosbeaks. Hundreds of those spectacular black and yellow birds spent the winter months in Southern Illinois final 12 months.
I had seen one night grosbeak years in the past whereas on trip in Minnesota. This 12 months, thanks to mates like Cathy DeNeal and Lennie Kaylor, who had them of their yards many of the winter, I used to be ready to see them up shut and private on plenty of events.
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We actually take an excessive amount of of nature’s magnificence with no consideration.
- I’m grateful that some normalcy has returned to our lives. COVID-19 stays a hazard to us all, however the availability of vaccines made it protected to get pleasure from nature with mates as soon as once more. If there’s something higher than marveling at nature’s magnificence, it’s experiencing that awe with another person.
- There is a “purple mountain’s majesty” second I skilled whereas visiting Great Smoky Mountain National Park this 12 months that’s indelibly etched into my psyche.
We have been driving via the Smokies at sundown, enroute to Cherokee, North Carolina. After we topped one of many highest components of the park and started the descent into Cherokee, the solar popped via the cloud cowl and illuminated the decrease slopes.
Just a sliver of the solar remained above the horizon, illuminating the hills and mountains from under. The angle of the solar and the cloud cowl mixed to paint the mountains with a purplish forged.
In that second “America the Beautiful” got here alive for me because it by no means had earlier than in my 60+ years on this earth.
- One of my favourite moments of the 12 months occurred late this spring as I pulled into Sahara Woods State Fish and Wildlife Area. I had noticed a pair does whereas turning into the park, and pulled off the street to get a greater look.
While parking the automobile I observed one other animal on the bottom proper in entrance of me. Originally, it appeared to be a fawn, however when it stood up I discovered myself gazing on the largest bobcat I’d ever seen. Of course, the digital camera was within the again seat.
The bobcat stood there for a number of fleeting moments earlier than disappearing right into a clump of timber. Then, the critter did the unthinkable – it supplied an encore. It emerged from the far aspect of the timber and stood within the street for a number of moments earlier than disappearing for good.
- Sahara Woods was the sight of one other wonderful wildlife encounter.
While kayaking the small lake with my spouse, we noticed a mink on the financial institution. We watched it enter the water, swim throughout our path earlier than taking refuge in a stand of phragmites.
We returned with mates a number of nights later. After regaling our mates concerning the mink encounter, we proceeded to the identical location. Alas, there was no mink. However, a beaver quickly made his presence identified.
The beaver swam with us for the following 45 minutes. At one level he obtained so shut to one of many kayaks my pal had to carry his paddle out of the water to let the beaver swim previous.
- These have been a few of the most particular moments of the final 12 months, however each alternative to go to nature is to be treasured. Best needs for a Merry Christmas and a 2022 stuffed with pure adventures.
LES WINKELER is the outside author for The Southern Illinoisan. Contact him at les@winkelerswingsandwildlife.com, on Twitter @LesWinkeler.