A UVM blog phenologyassignment

April 23, 2023 – Eric Terral

My spot by the stream in Centennial Woods,

Overall, my site has not changed too drastically over the semester. I would say the most significant change would be things budding and new growth emerging which is an incredible site. there are some smaller-scale changes to the site that could be human or storm-induced. As depicted in the drawing above, there are branches hanging over the stream and smaller sticks and rocks inside the stream. every time I visit, there are new sticks in a new place, along with new rocks in new places .

The largest landmark I am familiar with is the stream. The repeated sound of water hitting rocks and various in the stream has always been so calming and a huge motive for choosing this spot, to begin with. Not only am I familiar with the sound of the stream but also how it looks. As you will notice from the drawing, the stream wraps around where I sit, which has always been a great feeling to be completely surrounded. It’s an isolating feeling that is almost canceled out by the consistency of the water’s sound.

Nature and culture intertwine on the level of how this land used to be occupied by the Abenaki before it was bought by someone who sold it to UVM. Now, I am here appreciating its beauty and serenity.

I do not consider myself a part of my place. That’s the way I think it should be, I can play a part in the place by picking up trash and not destroying the vegetation, but that is just basic respect for nature. I think it is best to just observe these places and remove human impacts, as I mentioned above. Their beauty and individuality will be preserved by nature, all we have to do is make sure we don’t mess it up.

It’s been real,

Eric

The Red maple

This Tree is relatively close to my Phenology spot in Centennial Woods and I look forward to watching it bud and flower in the springtime

My new TREEE

As you can see from the image above, there are no obvious blooms yet. However, I can tell that the buds are maturing and will probably bud within the week or so. I look forward to seeing all the trees in spring glowing a vibrant green.

Unfortunately, I completely forgot about Phenology assignment #3, so I will start with #4.

I have found a red maple sapling that is in a perfect spot to observe because it is boldly sticking out of the side of a tree and is close to my Phenology spot. Since this is my first time visiting this bud, I don’t have any way to determine if it has made progress. However, from what I have observed this time, it shows no signs of fruiting, flowering, or budding.

I stayed in Burlington for spring break, and not having access to a car made it difficult to “travel to a rural place in Vermont.” I decided to go to a place significant to me for a while, especially over spring break.

This spot is located in the Burlington Country Club at the top of a sledding hill I went to with my dad over break. It is the tallest part of the Golf course and has a beautiful view of everything around.

Thanks for tuning in,

Eric

Cedar (I think Cedar, could be hemlock) tree cluster near Redstone Green area

I walk by these trees every day, and every time it snows, some tracks go to and from these trees and around this area. At first, I thought these were human steps walking through the snow. However, they are much too narrow to be human tracks. Also, if it were a human, there would be a lot more snow dragged along with each step. This leads me to believe these tracks are likely rabbit tracks or some other bounder.

The only confusing aspect of these tracks is that each bound seems to be somewhat offset. Rabbits are typically bound in a linear pattern. Regardless, I still think they are rabbit tracks. Perhaps the rabbit was drunk and struggling to walk straight.

Thanks for reading my blog,

Until next time,

Eric

The Spot:

The Tracks:

Hello climbers!

Smugglers Notch is looking increasingly barren as of late, no leaves are left on the trees, and the colorful leaves that littered the ground on my last visit are all brown and decayed. Since my spot is directly adjacent to the road, I do not see much wildlife in the past apart from the occasional squirrel and chipmunk. However, now, I did not see any squirrels or chipmunks.

When I think about my phenology spot and why I chose it, I am reminded of the countless hours I have spent under the rocks at Smuggs, specifically the Big Cottonwood Boulder. I threw myself at sharp quartzite crystals to get higher than I did last time—an unlikely and weird passion consisting of monotony and masochism. Who knew something like this would be responsible for almost all of my happiness?

That’s pretty much why I chose this phenology spot, I love this sport, and whenever I am near climbable rocks, the world is rightside up.

Climb on folks
Eric

Below this text is a photo of me climbing at my new phenology spot. This is a specific route on Looking Glass Rock. I chose this place because it felt very special to me. Most of the lower parts of this enormous rock are under complete tree cover, but this little break in the leaves creates this majestic spot where my friends and I can climb and enjoy the mountains during beautiful weather.

You know how much I love huge rocks, and this place is full of them. Similarly to my spot in Vermont, this place is littered with massive stones that control the environment and where plants can grow. As you can see in the image below, small plants and trees are growing out of the rock as I climb up.

Regarding vegetation, this place has a drastically different climate from Smugglers Notch, VT, allowing other plants to grow. As you hike up to this spot, the trail sides are decorated with rhododendron and relatively small Carolina Hemlock. You can differentiate a Carolina Hemlock from an Eastern Hemlock by the way the needles protrude from the stem at all angles instead of in a flat line. Paper and Yellow birch are such a dominant species amongst my Smuggs Phenology spot, but there are none at my new site at Looking Glass Rock.

Thanks for tuning in Climbers,

Eric

15 minute observation next to the Truth and Lies boulder in Smugglers notch

I sat right underneath the “Really Big Rock” in the above drawing and observed my surroundings. The most prominent sound was the wind and the occasional car that drove by since I was roughly 15 feet from the road. I also heard people faintly discussing the boulders in both English and French Canadian. Additionally, the sound of thin and dry sticks rustling next to each other in the trees above brings me to my following observation and probably the most drastic change. The leaves had all left the trees, now littering the ground and road. The single Northern Red Oak that was situated directly across the street from me was left baron and looked smaller than it did last time, which was probably an effect of the lack of leaves. The Yellow and Paper Birch that made up most of the forest was also empty, creating a somewhat lonely atmosphere. The last time I visited, the leaves on the ground still retained some of their colors; however, this time, they were all brown and beginning to melt into the soil to feed the surrounding plants and animals. I was also able to spot three Chipmunks and a grey Squirrel.

Catch you next time climbers,

Stay sending!