In autumn there felt like an abundance of wildlife around the farm, a richness that I wasn’t quite ready to let go of. I remember wild turkeys wandering through the open fields at sunset, deer slipping out at dawn, rabbits hopping through the underbrush, and the distant sound of coyotes yipping as night gathered. There was something comforting in those visits, a reminder that the world beyond our busy days is full of life, even as the season shifts. Then, almost suddenly as the snow deepens and the chill becomes constant, those moments grow quieter. The animals I loved seeing seem to disappear into the forest, and I know I might not glimpse them again until spring returns.
That sense of sudden absence always tugs at me. Just as autumn’s shifting leaves and light prepared the world for winter, wildlife around here changes its rhythms too. Deer often spend cold months in areas of dense conifer cover like cedars, hemlock, spruce or pine, places where the snow is shallower and travel is easier and shelter more protective. These patches, sometimes called deer yards, give shelter and a chance to conserve energy though food is scarcer and deeper snow makes movement harder. Wild turkeys tend to stay near mature conifer stands with enough cover to reduce snow build-up and close to food sources like leftover seeds or acorns, moving more slowly and roosting in the trees at night. They adapt their routes to where food and shelter are available as winter deepens.
If today allows, step outside for a moment and notice the quiet around you. Feel the chill on your cheeks, listen for small sounds in the stillness, and look for animal tracks in the frost or snow. Let the slowing of the season invite your attention without needing to fill the silence. There’s a calm richness in the winter landscape waiting to be noticed if you pause and simply observe.
