Phenology Blog
Ben King
NR001&2
My Phenology Location:
University Greens
I chose this location on the University Greens for more reasons than one. For starters I love the open space. Coming from a place where fields extend for miles with no buildings in sight, this spot is a great place for me to get away from the cluster. This is an excellent location for me because I'm able to visit it frequently but is still far enough from my dorm I can enjoy the walk and embrace the outdoors. The University Green caught my eye from the magestic colors seem from all angles. I see it as one of the few hearts of the UVM campus.
44.478252, -73.199951
There is a diverse range of trees in my locations, including:
- Crap Apple
- White Oak
- Red Oak
- Norway Spruce
- Red Maple
- Ash
My location is just over a ten-minute walk from my dorm.
By this point in the year, most of the foliage period has passed, and leaves have fallen. As the temperatures drop, the grass begins to lose its health and greenness. Fewer people tend to be taking advantage of this outdoor space, as I notice more open benches and sitting spaces.
November 7th, 2022
Manchester Center, Vermont 05255
Because both my phenology locations are in Vermont, there are many similarities in the ecology and vegetation. For example, there are many similar trees including, Red Oak, White Oak, Norway Spruce, Red Maple, Ash, and more. Due to the glaciers over Vermont during the Ice Age, my new location, and highly likely old location, has very rocky soil. The most significant difference between my two phenology spots is the human impacts and man-made terrain. The University Green was shaped exactly by design, with each plant being kept or removed with specific intentions. My new location is mostly natural, aside from the cut grass and trees, and overgrown hiking trail.
Manchester, VT 05255 43.181264, -73.083626
As I sit at the water fountain in the middle of the University Green on Saturday, December 10th, I can identify many changes from the start of my blogging. Most leave litter has been blown away or decomposed by now. Few leaves remain on a couple ash trees, and the rest has fully lost them. The grass has lost its bright green look, and the ground is almost fully frozen. Many flowers and plants have been removed from the ground, which takes away from the area’s colorfulness. Over the course of my phenology blog, I have began noticed the overall appreciation for the University Green. Many of the times I sat there making observations, there were other people sitting nearby, enjoying the nature and environment of the area. Even as it got colder, people still remained, enjoying time away from buildings. I see the UVM Green to a necessary location and symbol, simular to Central Park in New York.
I didn’t consider writing about certain species until I knew it was a pattern, and I have seen them multiple times.
I have spotted multiple squares running up trees, across branches from one to another, and running across the grass or snow to get to their next destination.
Crows are something I have to see very frequently testing in nearby trees on the green or flying overhead. Tens and hundreds of crows have flown over my head as I make observations about the University Green.
These species are not the only two I have seen in my location, but they are most likely to be spotted first. Other animals and insects hunt and live on the green and in the ground, trees, and shrubs.
New Phenology Blog Location
For my new phenology blog location, I have chosen somewhere more directly in nature where there are more wild things to study and explore. My location will be exciting to visit throughout the semester as the transition from winter to spring will bring much wildlife activity to the area.
My location is just South-West of Virtue Feild, down a little path cutting through the woods to Redstone Campus. The walk from my dorm, U-Hights South, to my new location is right around a 5-minute walk. I walk along the West side of the gymnasium and the turf, down to the path.
Just from my first visit to my new location, I was able to spot multiple animal prints in the snow from close by wildlife. It is possible these tracks are from the same animal or species but could also be entirely different. The tracks seem on the right lead mainly from tree to tree. (the tracks of the left were covered by human activity) I look forward to finding more mysteries in nature wildlife leaves behind.
Trip to Centennial Woods
I, along with another NR2 student, chose to search for signs of wildlife in Centennial Woods. The lack of snow, it made it more challenging to find signs in nature, though the sunny day brought out birds. I enjoyed using the app to keep my observations and view everyone’s wildlife experiences.
I enjoyed my walk and time spent in my phenology spot, as it was a beautiful day with minimal clouds in the sky. The first tree that caught my eye was this unique growing tree shown on the left. It seemed the tree had once almost fallen but managed to stay alive and grow towards the sun. Identifying this tree was not very challenging, as I knew it was an American Beech almost right away from the smooth grey bark and alternate branching.
The next tree I was intrigued by was one standing taller and broader than most others nearby. I guessed it was a Northern Red Oak from the unique bark and plentiful amount of Red Oaks nearby. I was then able to find a petiole with a reddish tint.
Monday, March 6th – around noon, sunny day
Assignment #3: INaturalist Phenology
3/27/23 INaturalist Phenology Post — Assignment #4
It was interesting to see how the tree I chose to examine looks beneath the snow that covered it last time. I could clearly see what was happening or what may have happened to the unique bending tree that survived falling. It looks as if this American Beech fell without fully breaking off from the base of the trunk and managed to heal itself with what was still attached. I also noticed the branch lying on the ground aside from the tree was entirely separated from they main trunk, thus dead.
4/3/23 Phenology Assignment #5
The visit to my phenology spot was similar to the last. This is an even closer look at the unique relationship between these trees. It seems they may have been connected at the very base of the trunk at one point but is no longer attached.
There are no signs of flowering yet, though as temperatures rise and the sun is out more frequently, the buds will like sprout soon.
4/10/23
Today’s trip to visit my tree was very beautiful and relaxing. When trying to move the lower separated part of the tree away from the main trunk, I realized it was still connected to a root in the ground.
Phenology Assignment #6. 4/24/23
I have enjoyed my experiences at my NR2 phenology location throughout the semester. It is crazy to think how much has changed over a time period that felt so short. When I arrived at my new location, the snow covered the ground, and I couldn’t see all the things below. Once the snow melted, it exposed many plants, young trees, and snags. The melted snow and increased rainfall made the soil much wetter, and puddles formed in certain spots. Flowering just really began to show more prominently at the end of certain branches as the temperatures have raised.
The most significant change to my phenology location was the clearing of many small trees and shrubs. I do not know the reasoning behind all the clearing though it is much more open and accessible now.
This is a landmark I have gotten familiar with over the semester. It is some sort of tipi that someone has been adding to for the last few months. It was cool to see the creation and progress of the tipi over time. I believe this highlights how nature and the culture of UVM overlap. It demonstrates the enjoyment students have within nature as it is likely used as a hangout spot that has brought people together during the creation.
At this point in the year, I consider myself a part of this place as I have spent much time examining the ecology and wildlife in the area. I feel I have made a connection to this location and have a better understanding of the natural environment.
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