Stillness overcomes within these recent dawns. The preserves are cast with an eerie mist that confuses the inexperienced into believing that the day will warm. However those days have begun to transition out to reveal a new cold standard. A hollowness surrounded my presence and permeated my bones… I questioned any creatures potential preparation for such an abrupt change in weather, which through my human observation appeared to creep in abruptly overnight.  Surely, the local fauna is far more aware and adaptable to the New England tendency. I dug deep into my bones to feel the subtle heat of my body’s natural function. Keeping relaxed I allowed it to flow throughout once again. The barred owl pair twisted their heads in my direction and ground their hooked beaks. Even their sentry movements creaked off the forest floor. The brittleness beneath my feet only reminded me how much quieter I would have to be when the real cold makes its way here. A small branch set free from the talons of the female resounded through the perimeter as gravity pulled it to a firmer ground. Imaginably discouraged in such lack of tact, she sprung from the roost, re-positioning  just out of direct vision of her mate.

The first songbirds lacked enthusiasm in their morning conversation, and as I made my way to the water I found many congregating unusually amongst the scenery. Something worth squawking about, I thought. My arrival to their table seemed not to excite them nor disrupt their banter and for once I felt privileged to engage in the throes of environmental inevitability amongst them. Catbirds that would sound their dangercall without fail in my proximity only hunkered closely with beady black eyes peering. The environment seemed to grant some leeway in the adaptation of these changes. Perhaps in a weeks time, they will all be back to keeping me in my place as an outsider. Or, have they embraced my frequency and given me my sought chance to prove my genuinity within their lands? Only time will tell.

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