When I learned that we had to do a phenology post before spring break, I was not happy. With midterms on the horizon and a plethora of projects due, I feared I would never be able to find the time in my week to visit my place. Little did I know, visiting my place would be the best way to relieve my stress.

I was sure that my February visit would be the last time I would travel down to Lone Rock in cold wintery weather. Only one weekend earlier I was able to do homework outside in 60 degree weather but this weekend winter was back. Once again I was bundling up for a chilly adventure.

Despite the cold, the people of Burlington were out and about, enjoying the beautiful sunny day. For the first time, I was able to get to my place via the newly renovated bike bath and I fully enjoyed the lake views.

Moreover, the ice surrounding the lake was gorgeous and a facinating phenological phenomena. The ice stretched the entire shoreline, bordering the land with a thin strip of white. At the edge of North Beach the frozen ice was cracked in patches by waves hitting the shore and the ice was cut in beautiful shards like broken glass.  

Inlets where the water was flowing slower trapped the ice. When I entered the point at North Beach, small floes of ice were trapped in one such inlet. A lone duck was fishing around the ice. I sat and watched for a while and was amazed at how oblivious the duck was to my presence.

A sign several feet away from the shoreline indicating the end of the North Beach property was a good indicator that lake levels were abnormally high. Perhaps the snowmelt had was a contributing factor or maybe it was just abnormal tides.

The forest had been transformed since the last time I had visited. Now completely uncovered by snow, the woods had once again taken on a more scraggly unkept look but the bight sunny day gave everything a glowing aura.

Moss and fern species had been uncovered and I was surprised at how vibrantly alive they seemed, not at all damaged by the weight of snow.

Without the snow, I almost felt as though I had been transported back to a chilly fall day. My main reminder that it was still winter was a steady crunch under my feet as I hiked along. The ground was still very frozen in many places and if I looked closely enough there was a thin coat of white ice in the soil.

In some places, ice was still very present. For the first time, I understood why there were stepping stones and logs in place. I am sure that should temperatures rise again soon these areas will be very muddy. Although Biofinder suggested that there were none on Lone Rock Point, these areas also might become vernal pools in the spring.

When I reached the end of the point I was eager to see more ice so I decided to wander down to the Champlain Thrust Fault to see how the ice was accumulating. Here entire trees were coated in thick white ice and the stream flowing down to the lake was entirely frozen. The water must have been splashing very high in order to coat the trees.

Northern White Cedars continue to amaze me. Down at the Thrust Fault I came across two cedars that were alive yet their roots were almost entirely detached from the soil, instead sprawling out over a cliff. Other trees and stumps were tilted sideways, restricted from falling by an intricate root system. At my spot, the root system was once again uncovered by snow and exposed. It is remarkable that these trees manage to survive in areas with such shallow soil.

As with most of my trips, the most common signs of wildlife I found were related to bird species. I came across what appears to be a bluebird feather and heard several pileated woodpeckers as usual. I also discovered an interesting cedar snag that was missing bark on one side. This seems like it could be the work of decomposers or perhaps harsh winds created this unusual situation.

Overall, it was a fantastic trip to Lone Rock Point. Perhaps the next time I visit, the weather will show more consistent signs of spring!

(Original Photographs Copyright Colby Bosley-Smith, 2017)