So much has changed since I last visited Centennial Woods. In the anthropological sphere, classes are picking up in intensity, I turned 19 (and now feel like such an adult), currently am in the process of transitioning from cross country running to track and field, and gearing up for winter. The natural sphere is gearing up for winter as well, and today’s weather perfectly reflected that. It was a crisp, overcast 45 degrees with a slight breeze that foreboded of the colder weather yet to come. Something I immediately noticed was the silence in the woods. Previously, the wind rustled the leaves and people walked their dogs, but now the trees are bare and silent and the woods is almost devoid of visitors. The only noises are the birds (such as chickadees) chirping at one another and the rustle of my feet through the dead, brown-yellow leaves.
My spot was almost completely unrecognizable compared to the last few times I have visited. Almost all of the branches have lost their leaves and are now strewn on the ground. They too have lost their beautiful fall colors, and now wear the drab yellow and brown colors that signify the approach of winter. As I was sitting on the ground, I could hear birds conversing in a language I cannot understand, as well as the occasional (now very fat) squirrel bouncing through the leaves. The most exciting part of my visit was I heard a woodpecker drilling into a tree somewhere in the woods. I actually got up and explored, but unfortunately couldn’t find the right tree. Hopefully next time I will get to see a woodpecker and maybe even catch a photo of it!