P1) For this Wonder Blog I expanded my area slightly and focused on the entirety of my block on College Street. I started my observations at 10am on July 6th. The weather way a nice mild temperature, and it had just finished pouring rain and the sun began to peak out of the clouds.
P2) Today, I observed that the large tree at the edge of my yard on College Street in Burlington, Vermont, has become a hub of activity for various birds. The canopy, with its dense foliage, provides ample shelter and nesting opportunities. Birds are frequently seen darting through the branches, creating a lively and dynamic environment. I noticed a pair actively building a nest in a high crook of the tree. The tree’s bark, rich with insects, offers a plentiful food source, and the seeds scattered around the base attract even more birds. The combination of shelter, food, and protection from predators makes this tree an ideal spot for avian life.
P3) Why does the lichen on this tree form intricate patterns and predominantly grow on the north side?
The intricate patterns and growth preference of lichen on the north side of the tree are likely due to a combination of factors related to light, moisture, wind protection, air quality, and bark characteristics.
P4)
Tree at edge of my yard. I picked this due to the vast amount of wildlife that uses the tree. I find it amusing how mush one tree can contribute to the surrounding ecosystem.
Small lot behind my house that us been taken over by vegetation.
This showed me when nature is left untouched how it can grow and flourish
This is halfway up my block in front of a neighbors house. This picture shows how in such a small area how many different plants are able to grow and flourish.
Flowers on a bush. I picked this because amongst all these weeds and nasty looking plants these beautiful flowers were able to grow and flourish.
Along the fence in the driveway behind my house are these two massive trees. Just while standing and observing it for a few minutes I saw a handful of different birds throughout it, a squirrel run through the libs of them. Similar to the tree in my front yard it offers protection to so many different animals.
P5)
As I took photos of my yard on College Street in Burlington, Vermont, I noticed several new details that I had previously overlooked. The process of framing each shot forced me to pay closer attention to the smaller aspects of the entire scene. I saw tiny insects on various plants, the subtle gradient of colors in the leaves, and the intricate patterns of wildflowers growing near the base of the fence. Photographing the site made me realize how dynamic and alive this part of my yard truly is. The light changed rapidly, casting different shadows and highlights, which brought out the textures and layers of the vegetation and ground in ways I hadn’t noticed before. In a way it was similar to sketching it allowed me to hone in on smaller things. Overall, this exercise has reinforced the value of combining different methods of observation to fully appreciate and understand the complexity of the natural world around us.