Phenology Blog

This week I made it out in the woods behind Trinity campus for a little refreshing break from studying for finals. I made my way out to to my beech tree that I’ve been keeping track of for a few weeks. Now that it’s spring there are many phenological changes happening in the woods. My little beech tree is finally flowering and opening up its leaves. I’ve been waiting for this to happen since the days started getting warmer earlier this year.

It has been rainy all week an it was just starting to sprinkle when I went out there. That’s my favorite time to be in the woods. I could almost feel the trees and vegetation around me breathing a sigh of re-leaf. There were a few signs of human activity in the woods when I went out there. I found some old cans and a trash bag which I collected.

This week I decided to make the most of the bleak and grey weather that I could, so I decided to go for a run down in Winooski. After a little while, I ended up going down to Salmon Hole to visit my original phenology spot. Much has changed phonologically over time. I watched the leaves turn and drop last fall and now I’m watching little green buds open up into the new year’s leaves. Most of the undergrowth hasn’t returned yet but it’s nice to see green starting to show itself in the trees after many months of grey and brown.

I’ve become familiar with and fond of salmon hole and its landmarks. You can hear the faint roar of the waterfall from the dam right across the river, and there’s a large log on the rocks that is perfect for sitting and watching the water move.

Culture and nature intersect here in the form of fishing. Salmon hole, named for the abundance of salmon that swim here is a great spot for fishing. I know at least five people on Trinity who come to salmon hole to pass the time while fishing. Like myself, I imagine that they feel like a part of the place. I’ve been there so many times now that the site feels a little bit like the river I swam in back at home in Thetford.