The Symphonic Sounds of Winter

Winter. A word that sends shivers down the spine and the eyes to burning embers at the thought of shoveling. Perhaps so. As opposed to the other seasons it represents challenges of getting to work, driving accidents in storms, sudden freezes and thaws with black ice.

Yet there is one aspect to winters here (and most parts of Canada I'll admit) that I treasure every year as it is the equivalent of a basso note popping in a symphony - snapping sap. Should you stand outside in the quiet of the night when the temperatures crash to the chilling wee hours of the night, listen to the trees. A slight breeze will bring them on...snap! pop! thunk!

As the temperature falls, so the moisture, usually sap, freezes under the bark. as the tree moves gently to the breeze or the moisture burst under pressure of the bark, the tree snaps! In a small wood or the forest that surrounds you, as the moon rides high and the stars glitter like an audience in heaven, the snapping trees add a light hearted pop to the cool, deep nights.

It is one of natures many symphonies that draws me to Nova Scotia.