Sky dims, then the nighttime presents another layer of wonder. Since our planet, spinning on its axis once every 24 hours, is set in darkness for half of that time, it presents another opportunity to explore the wonders of the sphere upon which we reside. After sunset, the crisp and cold night renders even the most vividly painted leaves into dark silhouettes. Shadows seem to be tucked in for the night.
Heavy rain has subsided so I step outside to substantive darkness to drink in the peppery perfume of the bay trees. Bracing cold of night’s air brings tingles along my skin. I know that offerings from the oak canopy lay scattered about, but I don’t distinguish the kaleidoscopic colors of the leaves and tan acorns as I do during daylight hours. Nighttime’s fertile dark allows for its own kind of meditation.
As darkness enfolds me in its mysterious cloak I begin to think about the critter-cam photos I’ve seen lately including mountain lion, bear, coyote, skunk, fox and more.
Most of us prefer to keep the dark time at bay since sounds often seem so unfamiliar under dark’s cover. I’m determined to allow my night vision to ripen. What happens in the luminous shine of these long nights? Are birds winging their way above me, silently migrating along the Pacific Flyway? Studies are currently being conducted, says Smithsonian’s website, on certain bird species with compass-like magnetite in their beaks that is said to aid in their heroic migrations.
During the dusk of a still summer night I witness bats as they swoop and dive in search of insects. I can hear crickets and frogs. But now the temperatures have dropped enough to cause bats to take shelter for the colder months by hiding out in tree bark, caves or inside tree cavities. I envision reptiles such as snakes and lizards snugly secured away now, in their underground hidey-holes, rock crevices or under logs, since they are dependent upon warmer weather to become active.
The wonders of Lake County’s astronomical canopy are known to many, thanks to Friends of Taylor Observatory and their pursuit of Dark Sky Certification from the International Dark Sky Association. Depending on the time of year you spy upon the sky, you will witness sparkling wonders in abundance. For example, November’s views include super bright Venus in early evening, yellow tinted Saturn decorates the southeast most of the night, Jupiter brightens up the east each evening, and Mars glows red in the late night off to the east. The moon this night is just a fingernail. No full moon to illuminate my surroundings.
I’d planned to make use of an old pair of night vision goggles, but the batteries were dead. Newer models are said to take videos and photos and provide crystal clear views of the nighttime’s scenery. I make do with a pen light to be used only when I walk. Silver beads, rain’s remnants dot the leaves above me. Or are they spider’s eyes? Wolf spider’s eyes sparkle at night since they possess excellent night vision. The creek runs loud and fast like a river, obscuring many of the noises that might warn of an approaching animal. Relax, I tell myself, and learn a new way to study the biodiversity of this wondrous world.
Since nature still abounds when the sun sets, why not escape the ordinary and celebrate the dark! Your back yard provides a perfect opportunity to drop the cares of the day and celebrate the contrast of the quiet hours. Night times allow for our senses to take in a whole other dimension of our strange and beautiful planet when the world is going to sleep.
