This month, my phenology place has seen a great shift. The ecosystems are dynamically changing to get ready for the coming winter. The leaves have all finally been shed, the geese have made their way south, squirrels and chipmunks keep the woods alive in their quest to store food for the winter. After a long summer, the land is ready to rest and get ready for the next spring. “Stick season” in Vermont is a time when many find the landscape unappealing, but I find that this is a peaceful time in the fall. This is the calm before the storm.

You would never be able to tell that this whole landscape was covered in snow not yet a week ago. Now the coyotes are actively hunting on the landscape, insects and ticks are moving about with great vigor during the last warm spell of the season. The wildlife knows that they need to take advantage of the last days of warm before the cold sets in for the coming months.

References:

Burnham, E. (Photographer). (2020). All photos.