The Autumn Morning Light

Those who sleep the day away, miss so much! First light of morning can give you a ever so quick glimpse of positive energy to start the day. But, you have to wait and watch for it, as it does not last long. There is so much to experience getting out at or before day break. The best time usually to capture wildlife even though:

it has been almost two months now with no sign of our bears, and boy do I look! Searching high, low, near and far. 45 hikes accomplished for 2020 with more on the horizon. Ventures up mountains, down trails, re-moted wooded areas, even popular hiking trails and all this trekking with little to almost no signs of wildlife. Through the wilderness areas from Mt Adams to Mt Hood and over by Mt St Helens, with only a few deer tracks and possibly a wolf track. Well, the chipmunks might feel cheated if they are not recognized as important, that is close too all I have seen.

Fall is in the air, animals are scavengers to collect those extra meals storing fat for winter months. Awakening to loud crashing sounds in the trees one morning to find a squirrel 40 feet up throwing pine cones to the ground. The crashing sounds of breaking branches not only caught my attention but in hopes of large game. This time last year the elk were coming down into the neighbors field standing on her picnic table reaching pears. The bears were in all the yards enjoying apples and left over garden delights not harvested. Still waiting, hoping to see our bears before they hide away for a winter's nap.

Fall solstice and season changes are lamented by many, the end of warm Summer days. It is not an ending but the beginning of something new. Every season means change. One season coming to an end so another can begin. Fall can feel like an ending, flowers and gardens retreat into dormancy. Final harvest of fruits and vegetables. Temperatures drop, frost may even blanket the ground in the morning light. On a still morning, layers of fog creep through tree tops, leaving a silent stillness. Fall is a transformation; we leave behind Summer's heat and blooming flowers in exchange for shorter days and crisp leaves. Change can be difficult. Human nature resists change and Fall's presence can leave an emptiness in the soul as we long for the warmth of Summer sunshine. Fall can shadow across a transforming silence, like trees shedding bark. So change with it, go into it and change your attitude!

Reasons to love Fall:

Perfect boot and sweater season

Bonfires or the warmth of the wood stove

Crisp night skies

Rich colors in the trees

Harvest moon

the smells of apples and pumpkins

And great time to hike!

So prepare, harvest, store up and do not let cooler temperatures drive us inside to retreat! Layer up, bring out the winter clothes, insulate, throw on a jacket, scarf, boots and mittens and VENTURE OUTSIDE! Explore the Fall colors and brilliance of nature.....enjoy! Take a hike, take a drive, take a walk or sit by creek....take it in! There are plenty beautiful sunrise and sets to capture along the way.

Summer is gone, it will be back next year.

" The sun shines not on us, but in us. The rivers flow not past us but through us. Thrilling, tingling, and vibrating every cell fiber and cell the substance of our bodies making them glide and sing. The trees wave, the flowers bloom in our bodies as well as our souls and every bird song, wind song and tremendous storm song of the rocks in the heart of the mountains is our song." John Muir