The calm creek water with the reflection of the trees

Big changes take a very long time to occur, but a rather large change occurs frequently with the time of day. Arriving a bit before dusk, the sky was illuminated by the sun’s bright rays that cast a shimmery reflection of the leaves upon the still water in the creek. Such a sight was not new to me, but the proceedings shed new light upon the life within this spot, unlike previous experiences, which piqued my endless curiosity.

Leaves caught on the rocks downstream

The water emitted peaceful vibes as the muffled trickle could be heard over the silence of the forest. There were very few water striders bouncing to and fro so the ripples in the water were minimal. Although, to the unsuspecting leaves, the tranquil creek was a tiger lying in wait for the leaves to fall down and be quickly whisked away to one of the protruding rocks on the sparkling water’s surface. With the help of the rise in water level, the leaves soften the sound of the tiger in wait. The leaves lucky enough not to fall victim to the water were under the subject of the wind carrying them through the crisp air only pausing for a few moments along the edge of the creek. Occasionally, the trickling of the creek was interrupted by the sound of birds chasing each other through the trees or passing along their migration overhead. Although, more frequently, the rustling of squirrels in their search and sometimes a squeak when they ran past each other resonated throughout the woods.

In passing one could see the evident change in leaf colors, but the willow did not follow this trend and instead continued to be a defining feature as its leaves kept their deep green color in which the leaves of other trees collected throughout its branches like a blanket. The intertwined vines throughout the leaves and branches have started to fade as the leaves die off and the berries turn brown. Following suit, the lilirope has remained its same vibrant color, but now with no trace of the purple flowers that had once been there. The roots are even more exposed thanks to erosion that leaves the plant protruding from the edge of the creek bank. With the change in temperature and nearing dusk, the water striders were primarily in hiding.

As the time approaches dusk, the array of colors dancing across the water’s reflection became a grayscale as the sky’s colors shifted from a light blue to streaks of orange and dark blue. The lively animals had quieted along with the creek alongside the setting of the sun.