The upper canyon of Little Red Creek becomes a narrow path of lichen encrusted stone with meandering drops to plunge pools. In the summer, for the observant wanderer, those little shady pools are home to tadpoles. Nearby the adult Canyon Tree Frogs sit quietly, blending in with the soft green, leafy lichens. One moves slowly with open eyes to discern these handsome amphibians.
This morning though, the pools are shimmering sheets of sunlit ice. Eleven-degree nights tend to create many ephemeral works of art. Swirls of white contrast with clear ice laden with air bubbles. Crystals have grown in amazing patterns, which one should look at closely and enjoy the myriad of patterns, for on your next pass by, they will be wearing a new face.
The mosses are vibrant green and softly embrace the pools edges, as they fill the cracks worn in the lichen covered stone. The broad color palette of the lichen world reveals surprising moments as I gaze at the utmost beauty before me. It is a wonderland in miniature but full of marvels to admire.
A morning feeding flock of Bushtits and Juniper Titmice flit through the dense juniper branches above my head. Two bushtits pause in their bouncing journey to inquire into what is buzzing at them. They stop 3 feet away, quizzically peer, then their question answered, off they go.
Yes, the morn is cold but dressed warmly, the walk is a pleasure. It is rather difficult to observe a frozen riparian wonderland if 50 degrees was the temperature. I wonder what delights I will have to endure on my next walk through the headwaters of Little Red Creek.