Our New England days lose daylight and might even be a bit bleak at times, but it helps to keep our eyes out for warm colors and interesting nature to brighten our days. Reflections of water and ice often glow. The slanting light of winter and patterns of ice are delightfully complex in contrast with the direct light of summer.
The beautiful fall colors of Concord are a sight to behold! Many of you have your own favorite spots, but perhaps I can point out a couple you have not visited or just need a reminder to go back to again. Be sure to bring a camera or your cell phone.
There is so much to see in our natural world; colors, birds, flowers, critters, lovely patterns, and even pretty and interesting insects. To help you see as much as possible on your outdoor adventures, bring a camera, a nature app like iNaturalist, and a guide book such as the Audubon New England Field Guide, the creation of which happens to have been led by Concord resident, Peter Alden. The more we see and the more we learn, the more we want to know. When we are outside there are intriguing sights, even in our own yards.
Getting out on the water is a wonderful way to escape to the outdoors, and Concordians are fortunate to have three rivers and several ponds on which to play, explore, and relax. These waterways provide opportunities to enjoy the natural world in a way that is quite different from experiencing our roadways, parks, and trails. On the water, one can imagine being in a distant place.
Spring is an awakening of Nature…along with arguments! Buds, birds, insects, plants, amphibians, and animals gather energy and burst forth. Arrivals from the South are seen each day. Color brightens and the chatter of birds, insects, and animals is heard as they say “That is mine!”
Each year, Concord is transformed as the bright, busy days of summer give way to fall and Concord snuggles in. The deciduous leaves lose their summer green and reveal their rich reds, yellows, golds, and browns before dropping to the ground. For us, this transition provides visual delight.
Do you think about going south for the winter? So do many birds.
As the days get shorter and cooler, many of Concord’s resident birds get restless and think about wintering elsewhere. These birds migrate primarily because of food and not to avoid our cold winters. Many of the birds that migrate depend mostly on berries, seeds, and insects for their daily meals, but the insects crawl into the ground, dig under leaves, or drill under tree bark and sleep through the cold winter months. The migratory birds are not as well equipped as a woodpecker to hammer a hole in a tree to gather sleeping insects.
Summer has always been a wonderful time to explore the many trails, parks, historic sites, and other natural wonders of Concord. During these stressful times, it’s more important than ever to take time to enjoy nature - to get outside and feel the sun and the breezes, to marvel at the plants and animals with which we share this world, and to find our best selves again. I’ve spent many years walking these trails and photographing the plants and animals found there. Over the years I’ve found a number of places that have become favorites. Here are a few I recommend to locals and visitors alike:
