Intense morning sunlight warms my face as I stare up at a deep blue sky. It makes me think how out of place the freezing wind seems on a day like today. But around me, the trees are covered with new snow and the river rushes by, carrying with it chunks of ice. It’s winter and the world looks cold.

My feet crunch on icy snow as I enter a wooded area near the river. Suddenly, the bright sun is gone, replaced instead by dappled light creeping in through openings between the trees. The sound of the river becomes muffled, and my ears focus on the quiet stillness. Listen for more…

This Field Note was written by Gretchen Kehrberg. Would you be interested in writing one? Contact Allison De Jong, Field Notes editor, at adejong [at] montananaturalist [dot] org or 406.327.0405. Please visit the Field Notes website at the Montana Natural History Center for more information.