On the heels of heavy overnight rains nearby woodland trails are waterlogged. Cold afternoon airs and heavy overcast do little to dry out forest duff. Rich hues are a redeeming side effect of the lingering moisture.
As I slog down pine straw trails, I notice a snail dawdling across a piece of decaying wood. I surmise the rains have chased it from its hibernating place in the forest floor. I watch as it inches along, amazed it can function in the frigid temperature. I later learn that some snails can adjust their body chemistry (creating a glycerol as antifreeze) to help them survive freezing temperatures.
© Ilija Lukić 2023
Habitué De Bois
(self-portrait)
Elegant Dawdler
(unidentified land snail)
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