3:45pm , December 5 , 2024
It was a pretty cold day, around 30 degrees. Immediately I noticed that there were almost no leaves left on the majority of deciduous trees in the area. The main species with some leaves hanging on were the white oak. The only green was from moss, ferns, and some small green non-woody vegetation. Another thing that was striking was the silence. I had noticed it had gotten quieter when visiting in November, but this time is was even more silent. The ground was damp and muddy and the leaves that had fallen earlier were beginning to decompose, particularly those on the muddy banks of the brook. There were a lot of pine cones from the Eastern White Pines and I saw mushrooms growing on some of the tree trunks.
When it came to wildlife, it was definitely less noticeable than earlier in the year. I didn’t see any frogs or fish and saw only one bird. The bird was a tiny winter wren hopping around in the mud by the water’s edge. I also noticed the bark peeling off of one of the trees which might be a sign of some kind of wildlife. The goldenrod further downstream of the brook had large galls in its stems, possibly holding larvae of goldenrod ball gall flies. Whichever type of gall-making insect it is, it is likely dormant and using the stem as shelter during the winter.
Reflecting on all my visits, I think what I like most about my phenology spot is its variety. The location is partly shaded and partly sun as well as partly water and partly land. This allows for an interesting variety of trees, wildflowers, mosses, fungi, and wildlife. There is always something different going on. I also like how it is slightly off the path so it feels a little tucked away. I definitely miss the frogs though.