Now that November has come and gone, I confess, I have a secret love affair. I’ve had it since I was a young boy growing up in NE Pennsylvania, and continues as a much older, young boy. It occurs at this time of the year, after the brilliant colors of October’s fall foliage have faded, and before the commercialization of December’s holidays are front and center. On the calendar, it was called November-a month for elections, to recognize and thank all of our past and present service men and women, and of course, to gorge on as many delicious side dishes to accompany our turkey on Thanksgiving. But November holds so much more. It’s a time of beauty and quiet, providing a link between autumn and winter. Some years it gives us warm t-shirt weather, while other years it reminds us of what’s to come, with bitter cold temps and snow. It’s nature in transition. I’m lucky to have it ingrained in my memory-the sights, sounds and even smells of nature in this “shoulder season.” From the mighty oaks holding their crimson leaves on the mountainsides, to the golden fields of seed heads still displaying summer’s grasses and wildflowers. Nature in November refuses to yield to winter’s coming.

As a birder, it’s also an exciting month for new bird arrivals. November brings a return of some of the winter residents to our backyard birdfeeders, such as Dark-eyed Juncos and White-throated Sparrows demonstrating their two-footed “kick scratching” technique in the leaves that blanket the ground. Or the increased activity for our three seed-grabbing bird species of Chickadees, Titmice and Nuthatches constantly snatching sunflower seeds from dawn to dusk.

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In the skies above, the last of the raptors pass overhead on their long journeys south, both Bald and Golden Eagles along with Red-tailed Hawks and quick flapping Sharp-shinned and Coopers Hawks. However, in the seasonal calendar of our natural world, November is often overlooked by outdoor enthusiasts longing for a few more weeks of “leaf peeping,” or waiting for the first snowflakes of winter. The exception may be hunters, who look forward to spending time in the forests, fields and waterways in search of their favorite game this month. I also credit hunting in my early years for my love and passion of the outdoors.

Hunting was the “door” that opened, and introduced me to nature in November. It wasn’t just about harvesting an animal for the dinner table, but gave me an excuse to explore new places and discover all kinds of cool things that came along with hunting. Below are a few of the critters I’ve encountered while hunting in November.

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I began to notice everything around me, and I was curious about learning more. When I slowed down during my time outdoors in November, I began to notice many other parts of nature in the forests and fields I hunted. Even at an early age I always carried my binoculars and camera with me. These days I only hunt with a camera, but it was hunting as a boy in northeast PA that launched me into the natural world and my love for the outdoors. It was strong enough that it even guided me into a career of Environmental Education and Interpretation as an adult. It’s been a passion to learn as much natural history as I can, and to share it with others!

Many of my fondest outdoor November memories came about from hunting with my father, brothers and uncles. I remember the excitement of tramping through old fields of nearby Pennsylvania Game Lands with Pa and my older brothers in hopes of kicking out a rabbit or pheasant to try and get a clear shot. I may not remember the game I missed, but I certainly remember the weeds were as tall as I was, and I would come out covered by every kind of seed that was growing there…..and I loved it! November also brings me back to hiking in “Penn’s Woods” in the dark with Pa on a frosty, cold morning in our quest to bag a Wild Turkey. As we slowly made our way through the woods just before sunrise, we could hear a distant Barred Owl calling, as I tried to hide my shivering from Pa because I didn’t listen to his advice about adding another layer of clothes! Gently rubbing my tired eyes, all my senses would be on high alert. I literally would hold my breath, thinking that every falling acorn was a flock of Wild Turkeys making their way the up the hill in the pre-dawn darkness, and heading right toward us.

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But I admit, as a 12-year old, those brisk, fall mornings sitting with my back against a big, old oak tree tested my patience. I clearly remember not being able to sit quietly in the crunchy leaves for more than 5 minutes. With cold feet, and my legs cramped because I chose an uncomfortable position, I was constantly shifting and wiggling. Add the fact that it always seemed like I needed to go to the bathroom 10 minutes after sitting down, fall turkey hunting just as the sun began to rise was challenging-but I wouldn’t have traded it for anything at the time. Even today, almost 50 years later, if I listen closely, I can still hear Pa softly whispering to me that “Wild Turkeys have an excellent sense of hearing.” He never had to tell me to sit still. His words were enough for me to stay excited, somewhat focused, and a little bit more silent for another hour! I miss those November mornings in the woods with Pa.

November ended with the most awaited part of a hunting season for a young hunter growing up in Pennsylvania-the first day of buck season. On the calendar, it was always the first Monday after Thanksgiving, and was so popular, that many public schools in northern parts of the state were closed for the first two days. I recall being so anxious the night before that I could barely go to sleep, even though I knew I had to get up at 4:00 am. To this day, I don’t think I’ve ever felt the kind of outdoor excitement and anticipation I felt before “opening day,” and the opportunity to see more nature on Grandpa’s farm! Don’t get me wrong, I always wanted to see a big buck, but it always meant more for me. It was everything! It was being there with my dad, brother and all my uncles and their buddies on Fork Mountain.

It was discussing who was going where on the first drive, and double-checking that I had my binoculars, drag rope, knife, snack and of course, TP.  I could barely hold back my anxious enthusiasm of getting outside and throwing myself into nature. It did not matter what the weather was doing outside, it was opening day, and I was about to experience another outdoor adventure! Every year I hoped for the chance to possibly discover some Evening Grosbeaks feeding in some birch trees, or get startled after flushing a hidden Ruffed Grouse while putting on a drive. There was always the possibility of catching a glimpse of a Red Fox darting through some underbrush, or even see a late season Black Bear.

One year I even had a big, fat Porcupine waddle by as I sat at my deer stand, pausing only for a moment to check me out. I will never forget that moment. I waited all year for this month, and I wanted to soak up as much of it as I could.

From those early days of exploring and hunting the forests and fields with my family, to getting ready for another winter backyard bird feeding season, November started a love affair that has never faded! Cheers!