Every week I have made it out to Blunn Creek to spend some time and reflect on what is going on in the small area. Since it is in the middle of South Austin there are many signs of human interference with the area. There is trash in the creek that has been washed there by the rain. There are many human footprints, and other signs of our presence. However, I have often found myself alone because of how cold it has been recently. I have many memories of visiting the site in the past and having to deal with other people who go out to enjoy nature as well. I really enjoy the quiet.
There really aren’t many signs of life during my recent visits. The occasional squirrel will run past. Sometimes stopping to gaze at me inquisitively. And I have not had the pleasure of actually witnessing that much animal life in these visits.
The main focus of my attention has been devoted to the silent beauty of the trees and plants. Some of them have retained their green leaves. But it’s the ones who have lost them that fascinate me.
They were once proud and full of beautiful leaves. They now stand with a quiet dignity which I would compare to an elegant, elder lady. The changing seasons have done away with their leaves. But the trees sit there patiently awaiting the coming of spring. There is no real shortage of water for them seeing as how it has rained from time to time I imagine that the trees are at least receiving nourishment at this time.
With each of my visits I always found myself just lost in my own thoughts due to the lack of any real activity around me. It was so peaceful and serene there. I tried focusing on smaller areas to find something to write about. So I would focus a lot on ants and their movement.
They were much more sluggish than I had remembered them. This is due to it being winter now. And I would never see them that far from the entrances to their nests. Their movements were slower and much less determined than what I could recall from observing them in warmer months. It is just very interesting to notice how many species are either nowhere to be seen during these cold months or they are here, but much less active.
Every time I came out here it has been overcast at the least. One time I was out here it was also rather cold. As I sat there, shivering, wondering why I had not come on a different day, I thought of all the animals who were resting in their nests or homes, sheltered from the winter. This is no time to be out and about. The cold here, while not as severe as in other parts of the country, is still enough to discourage most of the animal population in Blunn Creek from making any appearances.
