The phenology place I picked in my hometown is called Lantern Hill, and it is a short hike to the summit.
Leopold:
As I ascended the slight gradient, the absence of sound surprised me. This seemed out of place. Had all the animals chosen to hide as I strutted through their unofficially claimed playground? The only thing distinct was the rustling of fallen leaves under my boots, and even this was muffled by my thick layering over my ears. As I glanced up to view the ground which I will eventually cross, a grey mass appeared. With my continuing progress, the ambiguous shape transformed into a trunk with significant girth. Clamoring over this, the peeling bark surprised me. The not-often-respected power of the natural world was on display here, accompanied by her children burrowing and recycling her nutrients. Once I had reached the top, my experience completely changed. A deep roaring greeted me at the peak, as I struggled to maintain my upright position. The various pine trees, among these the Northern Red Cedar, and bare limbs of the deciduous trees vigorously shook. A couple of wide-winged birds soared through the air, effortlessly maneuvering the harsh winds, circling and finally settling on a rock jutting out into the horizon. They remained perched here, guarding their sacred watchtower. My gaze shifted to the body of water far below. The surface wrinkled with each gust, scattering the geese which had decided to momentarily rest, to little satisfaction.
Holland:
The weather in Mystic mimics that of Burlington, save Burlington displays temperatures that are slightly lower. This may not seem like a big deal at all, and most days it is not. However, if it were to precipitate, snow would appear in Vermont while rain would descend in Southern CT. The fauna visible here is greater than typical in Centennial Woods, and for later on in the year. This also is a result of warmer climate. Several hawks are still present. These must be some of the last sticking around before the harsh winter. Back in Burlington, the birds of prey have migrated to more livable environments already. The rodents which they usually pick off are already in hiding. The coniferous trees stand tall and full of lush green color in Centennial. These are unavoidable as they grow ubiquitously. This is not the case on Lantern Hill. The Cedars grow few and far between. Trees stricken of leaves are more common here. While Centennial is more of a swampy, moist area, the altitude of Lantern Hill prevents those shrubs who like abundant water from growing. There is less soil present too, again limiting the life that can survive at this altitude.
