Shortest Day, or Longest Night?

This time of year, my walks are full of surprises.  When my people get home from their jobs, we head right out to the local parks for some exercise and fresh air.  Because we are quickly approaching the winter solstice, it gets dark out very early these days.  In fact, the sun sets at around 4:45 in the evening, and the twilight fades by 5:15.

Walking in the dark may not sound like fun to you... but that is just because you haven't really tried it!  The time around sunset, often referred to as twilight or dusk, is when many of our wild neighbors are the most active.  When I said my walks are full of surprises, I was referring to the many magical encounters we have had lately with deer, opossums, coyotes, foxes, and raccoons.  These animals are all either crepuscular, which means active at dawn and dusk, or nocturnal, meaning active at night.  If you only go out in the bright light of day, you don't have the opportunity to appreciate the sights and sounds of many of our local wildlife species.

The winter solstice will occur this year on December 22nd.  This is referred to as the "first day of winter".  It is also the day of the year when we have the least hours of daylight.  The sun remains close to the horizon, due to the fact that the north pole is tilted away from the sun by an angle of 23.5 degrees.  In fact, the word solstice is Latin for "sun stands still", as it barely appears to move across the sky. 

Some folks find that depressing.  Rather than letting the long dark evenings get them down, they should try to think of the solstice in a different way.  Instead of it being the day of the year with the least sunlight, it is the day of the year with the most nighttime!

Solstice has long been celebrated by many cultures from around the world.  Several modern groups still observe the solstice as a very special occasion.  Soltice celebrations are especially festive in northern countries that experience large swings in periods of light and dark thoughout the year.  Many Germanic cultures enjoy the custom of Yule, observed on the winter solstice.  Yule is marked by many traditions.  The most famous is the burning of a Yule log.  The Yule log is often a large piece of a long-burning wood, such as oak.  The log is lit at sunset and is tended throughout the long, dark night. 

You and your family can mark the solstice by starting a Yule tradition at your own house.  Enjoy a bonfire complete with Yule log, either in the fireplace or in an outdoor firepit.  Take a walk at sunset and enjoy the sights and sounds of dusk. 

You can enjoy beautiful sunset views in many of our city parks.  Sit under an aged oak tree and take in the view of the pond and surrounding hills at Greenwood Park.  Visit McHenry Park and watch the ice gliding by in the Des Moines River.  Take a hike through the lilac arboretum at Ewing Park, and envision the glory of the coming spring.


Think about how your wild neighbors will get through the long, dark winter ahead.  Another common solstice tradition involves sharing the wealth of the harvest season with the local fauna.  Visit the bird blind at Gray's Lake to observe the heartiest of our feathered friends as they partake of a winter's feast.  Put out some birdseed at your own home, or make and hang edible ornaments on the trees and shrubs in your yard.  To learn how, check out this website:

http://www.ehow.com/how_9849_make-christmas-ornaments.html

Remember, solstice is about more than just the long, dark nights of winter.  It also marks the beginning of the coming spring.  After all, following the solstice the days will begin to lengthen towards the long bright evenings of summer.

Get outside and start a solstice celebration of your own.  Take photos of your Yuletide festivities and send them in with your comments.  Happy solstice!