Autumns end

Although an autumn Sun brightened the woods this morning, there was no denying that winter is eagerly waiting in the wings to take main stage and that now autumn draws quickly to an end. The leafs have all but gone from most of the crowns, the bracken lays bowed and browned, and throughout the forest the ground is becoming increasingly sodden. It's been a good autumn, filled with all the gifts the season should bear and now I'm looking forwards to a proper winter; well, more hoping for a proper winter, cold days with frosts that bejewel the land and all that. The forest in winter is still, there's a calmness and tranquility you can't help but absorb; even on the most boisterous of days you have a sense of serenity. Each season in the forest bears its own gifts and winters gift is peace.