Changes in the environment!
The overall shift from fall to winter is here. Trees are bear with the occasional Eastern White pine and Hemlock showing their greenery. In the upper canopy, some of the oaks still have few leaves hanging on, but for the majority. They have all fallen off. Due to the trees being bare, there are birds’ nest visible and the holes of woodpecker’s nest visible too. However, compared to the last visit. The bird activity has definitely decreased. Only few stray crows flying around. The squirrels on the other are very active. There running up and down and gathering food. The leaf litter has decreased with increases in decomposition. This is exposing the surface layer of dirt that is very muddy and wet from all of the snow and rain. The view is dimmer. There is not a lot of color, the stream is slower, and the wildlife is lesser. it feels like the forest has gone into hibernation for the next cold winter months.
Aspects of Penology
What I enjoy most is to witness the physical changes and getting to compare each visit. The watch trees bloom with green leaves and then watch them turn to vibrant beautiful colors has the weather changes is truly a magical thing. I have created a sense of place at my spot because I have watched it grow and shed, and now go into hibernation. It has provided a new point of view. One of my favorites quotes is from a book, Where the Crawdads Sing. The author writes, “the most constant thing in nature is change.” That is the true meaning of phenology.