a late afternoon walk 4

at some point in my life, long ago, i learned that young beech trees keep their leaves through the winter.  i never did learn why.  

these past days, i have been looking for signs of spring, noting each small detail that heralds it's arrival - something i can capture in a blip.  today i am doing the opposite.  i am capturing the departure of winter.

i walked along the road today and saw a young beech tree, tattered leaves blowing in the wind.  a few leaves had fallen recently, scattered on the snow.  unlike the striking maple buds of yesterday, the buds of the beech are fine.  yet - they are starting to swell, nudging the winter leaves off their branches.

i took away that there are different ways to see change.  i went walking today, looking for signs of arrival.  instead, i found signs of departure.  something to think about.