This latest visit to Beaver Way, I was lucky enough to experience a fresh coating of snow! With this winter weather came a slew of changes in the area’s foliage. The maples and barberries in the area had now dropped all of their leaves, though the bright red berries still clung to the otherwise bare branches on the barberry bushes. Meanwhile, the coniferous trees that line the very edges of the area were truly in their element, with snow atop each hunter green branch.
While the brook had not yet frozen over completely, it was interesting to see how the snowfall seemed to affect its meander. I assume that the water is significantly insulated by the snow, though not as much as it would be if it was covered by the ice.
Along with the usual birdsong that filters through the trees, I noticed a small trail of prints. It was difficult to tell with the snow still coming down and covering up some of the fresh indentation, but I believe that these could be hare tracks.
Visible in this photo to the right are also the above-ground remnants of the common reed that borders Centennial Brook. Every stalk has begun to dry out and decompose in the cold, but many will remain dormant under the soil until the Spring.
Beaver Way will now always be near and dear to me as a place to reflect and find comfort in nature so close to campus. Getting to see it change through Fall and Winter and getting to visit it both alone and with friends has been one of my favorite experiences this semester, and I’m truly looking forward to continuing it through all of freshman year. Next semester, I hope to be able to hone in on some more specific changes in the plants. The life cycle of the reeds—which a friend has recently informed me is the invasive phragmites australis—in particular would be interesting to see. I’d also love to find more evidence of the namesake beavers that are so essential to the area.