The site for my phenology blog is located after the small bridges along the brook in Centennial Woods. I chose this area because the brook reminds me of the Wappingers River located in my hometown. Although the areas at home are not as beautiful as Centennial it is nice to be reminded of home. The brook is the defining feature of the area. The sound of running water brings a calming feeling over me as I sit beside it watching the trees sway in the wind. To get to my site I walk from my dorm, Harris Hall, to the main entrance of Centennial Woods. I walk through the main trail until I cross over the two small footbridges located on top of the brook. You know you’re there when you hear the running brook and see a small sitting area where you can reach in and feel the water. While taking notes for this blog post the area was quite busy. People exploring Centennial need to pass through this area to continue their journey deeper into the forest. Human activity is evident in this area, the soil is very packed down and I even found glass near the edge of the bridge. From the first time I visited the spot I noticed how many of the surrounding trees have lost their colorful leaves. There is now quite a lot of leaf litter on the ground and the bank of the brook is very eroded. Grasses are still flourishing although the weather is beginning to get colder. The small fish that inhabit the water tend to stay under the eroded bank and the occasional chipmunk will run by disrupting the quiet atmosphere. Although my spot is one of the main areas of human traffic, I am still able to sit back and take in the beauty that Centennial Woods has to offer. There is one tree that still has yet to lose its leaves. A red oak tree stands tall over the brook with bright red leaves. Stay tuned for a new blog post soon!
Information from my field notebook is included below. Feel free to check it out:)
