As I sit in the center of my spot located in Centennial Woods, the sound of the wildlife that surrounds me is slightly overpowered by the sound of human life. In the distance, I can hear the sound of motorized vehicles as well as the faint sound of humans enjoying the space for recreational purposes. As I try my best to sound out the human activity, I zone in more on the presence of nature. The sound of Centennial Brook babbling. Tranquility. Occasionally, I will hear a few chirps from birds and rustling in the leaves by critters, like chipmunks and squirrels, preparing for the winter season.
Returning back to my spot after a couple of weeks, it is apparent that stick season is here. The trees that were previously full of a thick, green leaf cover are now stripped down to branches of a brown-grey color. Every step I take, I crunch the fallen dead leaves. Rather than a contrast between a blue sky and green leaves, it is now a contrast between a blue sky and shades of brown with yellow and red hints. The sunlight is more present at the bottom of the forest but it feels weaker. The wind is more brisk and the temperatures are cooler. Winter is right around the corner.
