On December 9, I returned to my pheonology spot for the final time this semester and the clearing looked very different. Where as before, it had been bright with foliage and plants, it was now much bleaker. The only leaves still left on trees were needles on conifers, and a few still hanging on to the branches of the large Norway Maple in the center of my site. The ground cover was a little more promising. Most of the ferns and vines that cover some of the ground in my site were still there. All the areas that had had that ground cover earlier in the year still had a lot of it. However, areas were it had just been dirt or small decidious plants (mainly on the far side of the stream under the Norway Maple) were now covered in decaying leaves. Some ice was also starting to form in the pools off of the main branch of the stream. It looked, unsurprisingly, like a scene you would imgine from early winter.
I also was excited to see a number of tracks at my site. Two sets I could easily identify as racoons, while others I was not able to identify. They appeared to be from mammals, and didn’t look like dog prints, but I couldn’t positively identify them for sure. I also noticed other signs of animals were not present. In the past, I had been able to hear birds singing and small mammals scratching around in the leaves, but none of that could be heard.
The aspect of my spot that I enjoy the most is probably the variety. In this one small area, I have a huge variety of different things, ecologically. There is an area dominated by tall conifers, with a very shady undergrowth that sees little plant growth. There is much more open area full of decidious trees like maples and beeches. There is a stream that provides habitat and resources for animals, as well as some interesting species, like yellow and river birches hanging over it. I can go to this one spot and see a huge variety of different ecological phenomena. I also enjoy how out of the way it is. It is down in a small valley, away from any trails or roads, so all I can see when I’m there is nature. I am really grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know this spot and I am excited to do it even more next semester.