2011 Space Odyssey

Space. Cold. Goes on as far as you can see. It’s not the final frontier. It’s the only frontier: the wild land where I hike around, looking for signs of life.

It’s a mix of fields and woods along a river. I know its trails, and even know my way off-trail. I’m here on this day to see what there is to see. Like always.

It’s a new year. Maybe I’ll start it by finding something notable. But this is a slow time for birds. A lot of them are on vacation.

I’m content to spot the usual Dark-eyed Juncos, Black-capped Chickadees and Cardinals. Also, the Downy Woodpecker that likes to hide on the other side of any tree.

Still, there’s always a chance that something uncommon will show.

I’ve seen a Northern Shrike here. Also, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, Evening Grosbeaks. And a Pileated Woodpecker, big, with a prehistoric head.

A Great Blue Heron glowers at me while ill at ease on solid ice. He’s clearly pissed that he hasn’t headed south.

I like this hike, even if it turns up nothing new. 2011 is young yet. “2011.” Sounds like science fiction. At least there are still birds, still wild spaces, in this futuristic year.

(See The Ferruginous Hawk for some fictional musing about this, if you want).

These wild spaces are timeless. They look the same as they did last year, a hundred years ago, five hundred years ago.

I move through a snowy clearing where I notice tracks made by deer and coyote living out wild lives in 2011. A Red-tailed Hawk circles overhead.

Wildlife activity in here is so predictable that it’s kind of reassuring. This is because the change of year hasn’t changed a thing.

This space is what it was, what it’s always been. Just what I expected. Sometimes, getting what you expect is all you can expect. No complaints.

In fact, I’ll try to get back tomorrow for more of the same. Next year, too, not that another new year would matter here.

3 Responses to “2011 Space Odyssey”

  1. Georgy says:

    I am silver headed – and – well, a little wobbly – so, when it’s really cold (or a little icy) – I am only able to read your blog and pretend I’m joining your adventure. I have lots of feeders out – and get many birds willing to feast here, in this safe space . . . still, it’s terrific fun to “hike around with you” – and wait for warmer, safer days ahead. All Best to You, Happy 2011,
    -g-

  2. Joel Wilcox says:

    Yep, that timeless quality is wonderful (although maybe 2-fisted types shouldn’t use the word “wonderful”).

  3. Amy says:

    Nice post, and you’re right – that Downy is always on the *other* side of the tree! Wild spaces are the only thing that makes it possible for me to exist in a city space.