While looking for a place for this blog, I knew I wanted to choose a place relatively close to human activity. I was curious to see what- if any- effect this proximity to people would have on this place, and how these effects might impact the change in seasons in this place.
Despite its small size and abundance of human activity, this place is as active and dynamic as any. I find it quite admirable that nature has found a way to thrive in peaceful coexistence with human activity. I think that it is extremely important to recognize that humans are more intricately connected to the environment than we might think. Our actions have an impact on the world around us, and the environment impacts us, too. It was important for me to choose a spot that could demonstrate that it is possible for people to live in harmony with the environment.
The place itself is a small stand of trees mostly consisting of eastern white pines and Norway maples. There is also a small cluster of shrubs in the middle of the stand, as well as a medium-sized basswood across from these shrubs between two pines.
This place is full of activity- it seems to be a very popular hangout spot, and both times I’ve been there, there have been multiple hammocks strung up between the pines. The wildlife in the area also appears to be quite active and not at all bothered by their human neighbors. Squirrels, chipmunks, and chickadees are always running around, and there were more than a few insects buzzing around.
So far, my two trips out to my spot have been quite similar. The weather and temperature were very similar both days- generally sunny and around 60º F. I am especially excited to see how my spot has changed with the colder weather. I predict that many of the deciduous trees such as the shrubs and Norway maples will have lost at least most of their leaves by now. Human activity may decrease with the cool autumn weather, but I predict that the wildlife will be just as active, frantically stashing up for the coming winter.
Field Notes:
9/29
5:20 pm. Partly cloudy. ~60º F
- squirrels foraging/eating
- leaves starting to turn yellow on understory trees
- stand is mostly white pine with some Norway maples
10/13
4:15 pm. Sunny. ~60º F
- chickadees + chipmunks calling
- leaves now mostly yellow
- one of the Norway maples seems to have lost some of its leaves since I was last here but leaves still green
- trees appearing to be yellowing from bottom upwards – a result of less access to sunlight at bottom of tree?
- insects still active
- gray squirrels running around/foraging