Rescued from the intense sun and oppressive heat of summer, we humans and our wild neighbors become more active as autumn envelops the Heartland. Birdsong, while not as feverish as the chorus of spring, reignites on these cool mornings and the call of the barred owl echoes through the woodlands. Sensing the approach of winter, hoarders of all variety are active throughout the day, stocking their dens with seeds, nuts and hay.
Many songbirds are noticeably restless, preparing to depart for wintering grounds, while our permanent residents gather in large, seasonal flocks, roaming about the fields and wetlands. Large herbivores, storing energy for the trials of winter, are also stirred by hormones as their annual rut begins. Taking advantage of their active prey, our native predators, avian, reptilian and mammalian, hunt throughout the day and night, culling the weak and ensuring their own survival as the autumn chill intensifies.
We humans, ingrained with the collective memories of our ancestors, are also energized by this seasonal change. Awakened from our summer stupor, we relish outdoor adventures, stretching our muscles and soothing our minds amidst the colorful autumn landscape. Of course, we also sense the coming threat of winter, harvesting our crops, filling our pantries and, for some, taking part in the seasonal hunts that typify our culture. Like our wild neighbors, we know that the invigorating days of fall will soon yield to a dark, frigid season that, for humans, is uncomfortably foreign to our tropical nature.
