Venturing to my phenology spot on December 7th, 2024 was no small feat. I woke up to 5 fresh inches of snow on the ground and it was still snowing consistently. Today was not a day for biking so I bundled up in all my layers and started the walk on the recreational pathway. When I arrived at my spot I attempted to go further down towards the stream however the hill was far too steep and slippery to make it down there safely so I stayed at the top of the hill and observed from afar. Here, I noticed that there was little to no green vegetation as all of the leaves had fallen from their branches and were now decomposing under the blanket of snow. However, the Eastern Hemlocks that covered this area were still dark hunter-green, which gave this area more hints of life. When comparing this are to my observations before winter break, I have noticed that there is a lot more debris on the ground. Even though it was now covered by snow, there were many sticks, branches, and even a new tree that had fallen over and were now coating the ground. This could have been from intense wind events or weaker trees not being able to withstand the weight of the new snow. I did not notice any animal signs on the ground however this area used to be full and vibrant of bird sounds and due to the harsh cold and the heavy snow, it was eerily quiet due to less active bird species and the insulating soundproof blanket that snow provides.
This Eastern White Pine particularly caught my eye during this visit to my phenology place. I have been studying this tree ever since my first time coming here, and now with snow on it, the tree felt magical and delicate. The way the snow rested between the needles on its branches was so perfect and I was impressed that a tree this young and fragile could withstand that much snow on its limbs.
What Aspects of My Phenology Place do I Enjoy the Most?
One thing that I love the most about my phenology spot is the fact that a natural community this diverse and special coexists right under a highly trafficked recreational path in the heart of Burlington. Countless people pass through here daily and never would even think to venture down under the bridge and simply take a moment of reflection by the stream or to notice the different types of tree species in this area. It is a special pocket of nature and biodiversity that not many would think to visit or pay close attention to which is why I have enjoyed studying this area so much. Additionally, every time I visited my place I discovered something new. Whether that be a new tree species or a new fallen tree onto the stream, the systems here were always changing and evolving which is why studying this natural community has been so interesting. My phenology place is peaceful, lively, vibrant, and definitely a place that I will return back to over the course of my time here at the University of Vermont.