This is the last post for my phenology site, and I have mixed feelings about saying goodby to my spot. I loved how pretty of a spot it was and how quiet it was when the planes weren’t flying directly overhead, but I won’t miss the long trip to my spot as it was a 6-7 mile round trip bike ride with about 300 feet of elevation gain or a 2 mile walk from the trailhead in winter without trying to wipeout. For my final observations, I am excited for the arrival of spring the budding of trees, and the decrease in the water level.
The water level has already significantly decreased since my last visits, and from my time spent fishing, I can say that the river is pretty shallow near the shore right now. The different levels of height that the river was recently at is shown by the series of smooth sediment that can be visualized to look like a set of stairs.
Green Ash bud
Boxelder Maple Bud
I do consider myself a part of this place due to the large amount of time I have spent there and the miles of effort intentionally spent to reach my site and spend time there. Nature and culture intertwine as even though my spot is secluded, it is on a human made path near agricultural land and where there has been intentional planting of silver maples nearby and signs regulating the harvesting of fiddleheads.