Out-of-the way corners in abandoned places conjure up a variety of disquieting images.
The early winter silence in these neglected locales gives way to the subtle scurrying of unknown creatures attempting to avoid contact and confrontation.
As the old saying goes, good things usually come in small packages.
Surprises which arrive in small, subtle ways do not always mean a corresponding big, pleasant surprise during this month of festivities.
The seasonally cooler weather has had a silencing effect on the nighttime chorus of insects, amphibians and most other animals. The frogs and cicadas are taking shelter in anticipation of the warmer months to come.
Common among the native nocturnal animals is the opossum (Didelphis virginiana). This resourceful scavenger is found in forested areas, fields and pastures, and even places with a high density of humans.
The month of November has brought on decidedly cooler temperatures.
Admittedly these recent thermometer readings are not at the subfreezing point of latitudes further north, but there is enough of a drop to cause a change in wardrobe.
People who collect items do so for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the purpose is an unlimited curiosity about the subject which is collected. Stamp and coin collectors often fall into this category.
The autumn season in Santa Rosa County brings out another variety of collector which has practical and utilitarian objectives for their collecting activity. Seed collectors are actively acquiring mature seeds for one of two diametrically opposed reasons.
Exotic invasive species are a continuing problem for panhandle Florida, and many other places in the country.
The non-natives are brought into an ideal environment where they can grow and proliferate with unrestrained abound.
Sometimes residents and visitors are concerned about a surprise encounter with one of the 45 species of native snakes. In the cooler weather these coldblooded reptiles are unable to avoid the chance meeting which usually ends badly, at least for the snake.
In reality, it is far more likely to find a weed given a name based on one of its features which mimic a snake. One of these is corn snakeroot, a native wildflower currently blooming in Santa Rosa County.
Creeping is a term that implies malevolence which concludes with an unpleasant surprise.
There are many creeping impersonators preparing to lurk in neighborhoods with faux menace, and a few shifty weeds in the landscape.
The change of seasons from summer to autumn brings out new colors in the countryside and residential areas.
The transformation of tones depends on both the region of the country and the species putting on the show.
In regions further north, many of the deciduous trees add to the polychromatic exhibition, complementing the late season native flowers.
“A penny saved is a penny earned” is the famously frugal advice from Poor Richard’s Almanac.
The author Benjamin Franklin, elder statesman and founding father of the United States, offered this simple pearl of wisdom to 18th century American.
