Lodge & Conference Center
be close. Sitting quiet for hours in a tree stand, the nature sounds were a cue to pay attention. The cold could take its toll, but he was dressed properly and the freezer empty.“ You see so much more if you are warm, quiet and motionless— but from that vantage point, I see stuff I don’ t understand even though I read a lot,” he added.
In a winter term animal ecology lecture and lab we were told to spend a weekend day along a quiet county road, recording what we saw and heard. Reports were due the following Monday. At 10 degrees and snowy, a friend said he’ d bring along a pocket flask with whiskey in case we got cold. A road-killed opossum stopped us in our tracks, and close observation revealed frost-tipped ears, frozen to stubs. Pushed for answers in class, we suspected the animal was caught out in a winter storm and couldn’ t get back to its burrow. The frost-bitten ears proved it.
I can’ t say spending time on the trails this winter will be enjoyable for all. I know from winter activities at the state park, attendance was always chancy. We are creatures of comfort and while I knew how to dress properly, many times my hikers didn’ t. Watching for signs of discomfort we sometimes cut hikes short. If nothing else was pressing, I was overjoyed at the thought the time was now mine, to see, watch, and learn. I could again be an observer, assigning analogies to nature, matching landscape to life.
I believe it made me a more conscientious land steward, but more importantly, a better teacher.
“ January observations can be as simple and peaceful as snow, and almost as continuous as cold. There is time to not only see who has done what, but to speculate why,” said biologist and scientist, Aldo Leopold. He was also a winter hiker, scientist, observer, and writer— first to indicate there’ s a lot more going on out there at this special time than I ever imagined.
Dress in layers, take a snack, and enjoy the winter woods. •
Lodge & Conference Center
TUESDAYS: Tex-Mex served in the bar 5 – 7:00 p. m. FRIDAYS: Prime Rib Buffet served 5 – 9:00 p. m.
• Balcony Rooms
• Restaurant • Lounge
• Enclosed pool
• Conference facility for up to 600 people
560 State Road 46 East, Nashville, IN 812-988-2284 • SeasonsLodge. com
Jan./ Feb. 2018 • Our Brown County 53