Forests of Wonder

What happens in the minutia

The path was strewn with remnants of pine cones tossed about. Signs the resident squirrels are nearby. Otter droppings left on rocks, inform you they were here, too. Thrumppp, says the grouse you disturbed in the brush. As your clumsy feet tread over the towering pine’s moss-covered roots. Dew transitions from the thick brush onto bare skin and pants, as you part the leafy fronds in front of you.

The sun casts a ray of sunshine between the lower branches with the promise of sweltering heat in the next hour. A slight breeze cools the dampness on your skin. As early morning mosquitos stir. The earthy woody scent of cedar permeates the senses. As you breathe a full breath.

Why would I ever want to be anywhere else?

The magic of life happens in the dew-riddled spun web, at eye height. A bubbling stream runs over a crop of rocks between cedar trees. Its bank overflow with yellow decaying leaves from last fall.

The essence of life careens through the forest in the treetops of our world. Where the mighty take flight o’er the graceful swaying trees. Eagles gliding in the gentle air currents, first up, then down. An eye to the forest floor below. Something will head their way. From a dizzying height, they watch the fisherman with their catch on the lake at the forest’s edge. The eaglets will feed on nutrients from the remains of this day.

The air fills with chatty birds, growing as the day progresses. Soon silence fills the air as they take refuge from the heat of the day. Bears traipsing through to forage for seasonal blueberries in patches in the glades. Bees buzz around to pollinate the berries, repeating the sequence for next year.

Forests interlock with swamps, up a hill or down

Pup’s howl at the swamp’s edge to locate mom near the den. Mallards squawk as they take flight up around the corner of the river to land in the next stretch. Cackling at each other when once more they’re disturbed.

Moose race through the woods, crashing their bulk in the impervious trunks of cedar and pine. Their hoofs stomp through the mud. Stopping in the swamp to eat the bulbs of the water lily. Eyeing the treeline for the predatory wolf. The cow is careful to keep its calf between safety and any attempt at an attack.

In the stillness, a beaver slaps its tail, reminding all who own this pond. Dragging another birch log up the river to reinforce the ever-thickening dam. A muskrat darts across the water, scrambling up the bank to safer quarters. The wind blows across the meadow of the pond.

Meadows of yellow hip-high grass

Carpets of woodland flowers in the meadow, on the hill, greet you as you climb over the ridge. Rising to higher places where sparkling lakes of blue sustain more life. Osprey soaring above the trees squeaking down at you. Another bear swims across the lake to forage on the other side. Whitetail deer bounding across the forest, seeking food, far away from you. Blue butterflies flutter all around, they dance in their jagged lines. Dragonflies wait for them to come around, as they fell them all.

The moon chases the sun out of the sky

The hooting of the owls begins as nightfall closes in. Dormice and voles scurry from tree to tree. Protected by tall branches, at least that’s what they hope. Crickets join in choruses with frogs and toads. Assembled in the quietness of a starry, cloudless night. The whoosh of bats chasing bugs on the edge of wherever they may be. Rabbits use the cover of darkness to forage in the brush. A skunk roots carefree nothing to challenge it.

The heat of day gone. At last, the creatures wander close. Checking all that has gone on throughout the day. It’s at night when they visit where man has been. Creeping ever closer, nose to the ground, to see what we’ve done. Bits of food will reward their curiosity.

The forest has it all. Encompassed are the fabulous lungs of this great planet. The filtered air, one breath at a time, changes everything for us.

There’s a comfort in the forest I can’t find anywhere else.

Thank you for escaping with me in my forest.

Thank you for reading.