We’re already at the end of the semester?! Well, here’s the last post for a bit..
The foliage has changed A LOT since I last visited my spot a little over a month ago. Most of the trees have lost their leaves, with only the Eastern white pine and Eastern hemlock still holding onto the green.
On the ground, there is some persistent green vegetation, like the intermediate wood ferns and some long grasses, which both tend to clump near the trees. There is also moss on the ground and on some of the trees. Unlike before, the woods are all just really gray and brown. Even the bright-colored leaves that have fallen are beginning to decompose and become part of the soil, which is evident because the ground has become much less covered in them since November.
I didn’t find any traces of animals, and trust me, I looked! I was keeping an eye out for bird nests, woodpecker holes, tracks, or maybe even scat, but I didn’t see anything. Therefore, I think I can safely say that the animal activity has decreased in my spot because I swear I’ve heard birds and seen small animals around before. Though on my way out of Centennial Woods, pretty far from my spot of course, I did see some birds flying and even a squirrel!
I think my favorite aspect of my spot goes along with how close it is to campus. I walk maybe 10-15 minutes from my dorm and I’m suddenly in this forest which doesn’t make me feel like I’m anywhere near a city. The physical area of my spot I like the best is looking out to the pines and hemlocks from the yellow birch tree. Even now in wintertime, it feels full and nice and green.
I hope next semester will bring more beautiful scenes in my spot (and snow!) and I can’t wait to see what changes I’ll observe! Happy holidays!
