Pawprints in the Sand

Well this is the last official blog visit to my reflection spot at the Gambles Mill Trail. I thought spring had come the last time I visited the trail, but I was definitely wrong. The winter was just in its last death throws as a few days later it snowed. What happened to the tadpoles I found in the stream that day did they die from dropping water temperatures? What about the fish? That’s what was on my mind as I headed to my spot. Something was wrong…well I guess just pleasantly surprised. The woods’ leafy forest floor was obscured with fresh growth. It was much more difficult to move through as new vines and branches clogged my former pathways. Everything plant seemed to have leaves of three and I was definitely paranoid as I moved into the woods. It did not help that I only wore a gym shorts and a t-shirt and I happened brush past every kind of plant in the woods. Also have you seen Mark’s face?! Enough said.
The fish I was worried about beforehand still frantically swam in the pools of the rivulet. However, there were no tadpoles. Then I saw a splash out of the corner of my eye. All I can do is hope it was a frog that made that splash. Afterward I peered into that old well I found on my first trip to the Gambles Mill Trail. The moss and vines that dominated the well seemed dried and shriveled with numerous other plants moving in obscuring it from view. As I sat by the water, where once a gyre of foam once swirled I noticed I was not the only one to spend time on that small bank. Two small paw prints were pressed into the sand. My best guess was that it was a raccoon. At least some other creature ventures into the depths of the woods.
When I looked around I noticed a new wetland area had formed and decided to explore. Then there was another splash into the water, but still I did not get a glimpse of the animal that fled. At the waters edge laid another footprint, which was definitely from a deer. Visiting the trail today indicated other mammals other than squirrels frequented the woods. It made me wonder how often they make their way over to the trail. The trail is not easily accessible to humans or animals. The edge effects must be very great as it is engulfed by the country club, the University and the River Road. I wonder if the deer had come to graze on an endless supply of fresh, crisp greenery and maybe the raccoon were just scavenging for what ever it could find.
I think that I have a much different view of the Gambles Mill trail since my previous visits. What seemed to be an originally lifeless place seemed to have come alive in the past month. Although this is the last time I have to write about my reflection spot I hope to frequent the trail this summer. I wonder how the plants in the area will respond to the higher temperatures and if the young plants I see now will be replaced like the ones I saw in the well today.