Dappled golden light and a gentle breeze take you on a hike through tunnel-like paths covered by a canopy of white-barked poplars in the midst of spectacular fall foliage.
Small twigs along the branches still hold tight to the green, yellow, and orange-variegated leaves, but inevitably some are swept away by intermittent winds, spiraling down to the front of the forest floor. joins its predecessor. Changing colors, crisp air, and earthy scents surround me and speak to me with silent tongues whispering change.
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Barbara Davis is the author of books about birds of the Southwest. She grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and now lives in a cabin surrounded by nature and wildlife in the White Mountains. “A special thank you to Kathleen Varhol for kindly sponsoring this column in her loving memory of her parents, Clarence and Elizabeth Rummell, who loved and appreciated nature.”
