It has been a busy April, and I have spent much of it away from home. I did not realize this until going on a nature walk in our woods last night. It had been a couple of weeks since my last walk, and I wanted to see how spring was progressing. It was a warm evening, the frogs were calling, and my dog was anxious to get some exercise, so we headed out.
The first thing that struck me was the mossy path. It was now colored in several shades of brown, red, and green.
As I looked out into the woods, several spring wildflowers were in bloom.
I had noticed some species in the past, but this trillium was new. I found many along the path, and some coming up right in the middle of the path.
And even more obvious were the red bud trees all in bloom. I passed many along the trail that were in full purple adornment.
Spring was coming up through the winter waste such as this deer jaw.
Spring was changing things fast. A couple of weeks ago, these mayapples were just bursting through the ground. Now they covered the forest floor and were tall enough to shade the ground under them.
Even the decomposing deer skulls had changed. There were many more carrion beetles under the skull. They scurried so fast as I moved the skull that I could not get a focused picture. Soon the skull will be only bone.
Fast change had occurred while I had been away.
New blossoms. Plant growth. More species. More individuals. Decomposition. Life renewed.
The transformation and speed of that transformation were remarkable. I barely recognize our woods. But this is what I have been waiting all winter to experience. I welcome the changes..fast or slow!
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