Pre-settlement and up through the settlement era, there were many wolves (mostly grey, I believe) still in the northeast until they were finally exterminated in New York around 1900. Like every canine, wild or domestic, they loved to hear themselves talk and, of course, in midwinter their howling carried far in the bitter cold air. While many people associate wolves’ howling only with hunger, they — like the more recent canid migrant, the eastern coyote, have many calls — hunger, yes, but also pride of the kill, warning and even happiness, I believe, of new young and springtime. And sometimes just happiness, in general.
Even the trees struggle in this time, with young saplings or the newer branches of older trees sometimes “popping” in the bitter cold as the residual sap freezes — another name for this month is Moon of Popping Trees). Many tribes had their own name for each moon, some calling this one the Snow Moon, but most keep that for February. My Abenaki ancestors tell of their Creator-God, Glooskaps darker twin, Malsum, who took the form of a wolf. Other peoples tell of the Good Wolf of Wisdom battling with the Bad Wolf of Anger. “Which one do you want to feed?” These are examples of Wisdom Stories that would be shared mostly in this cold and dark time around bright, warm fires, sometimes as real wolves howled in the distance.
The beauty of winter
When we do venture out into the mid-winter landscape, we’re confronted by the stark contrasts between the seasons, contrasts of light, temperature, sound and feeling. Perhaps the most jarring and immediately-noticed is the stunning silence of the winter woods (once you get away from traffic and other humansounds). In direct contrast to summer’s in-your-face raucous cacophony of life, the initial quietude of winter can be quite striking and beautifully peaceful. Therefore, when a Black-capped Chicadee cheekily announces his hardy presence to all, or when a Belted Kingfisher calls out as he cruises along the stream, itis truly appreciated as one reminder of life in our wan winter environment. Both birds are here all year but their lively calls are buried among the auditory avalanche of summer. If we look carefully, there are other reminders of the persistence of life — the tracks of a mouse, mole orvole will be on the snow as they look for fuel to stoke their ravenous internal furnaces, and thefaint rustle of beech and oakleaves that may remain.
Winter well/think warm thoughts
In this time of stark beauty, I suggest that we all enjoy it as much as we can but I also suggest that everyone be very careful in this season. All of the elements are not as much our friend as in the summer, so please dress accordingly, particularly when on the trails. Hats and gloves are suggested now and it’s very important (as always) to wear proper footwear and to stay on the trail, whether icy or muddy. If icy, please wear at least Yak-Trax or other traction-devices. If muddy, mud-boots. Either way, walk straightahead through the mud or on the ice — do not go around. By going off-trail we not only endanger small threatened plants just under foot but we create erosion which the trail-crew will have tospend time and energy repairing.
If venturing into the woods in the afternoon always have a light with you. While the light is (thankfully) not disappearing as fast as it was, darkness can come on you rapidly.
Dog-walkers, please don’t let Fido jump up on others. This is rude behavior anytime, but it is downright dangerous when the footing is already precarious.
Happy New Year, everyone. Have a safe January. Please keep warm and watch out for each other as the light gradually returns.
(Excerpted from the soon-to-be-published Waghkonk Notes, Cycle of the Seasons in the Valley of the Sawkill.)
To reach “Ranger” Dave Holden, call 845-594-4863 or email woodstocktrails@gmail.com; also see Woodstock Trails on Facebook; rangerdaveholden on Instagram or www.woodstocknytrails.com.
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