Human History

The area of trinity woods I have chosen is not unused or unknown to others. Trinity woods is used most prominently as a mountain biking course or for brief walks in the woods. However, the many saplings within the woods and number of paper birch trees indicate the forest may be relatively new or re-developing after a disturbance. Perhaps this land uses to be clear-cut. Now, however, the forest is still able to grow while being the host of human activity. A mutual relationship.

White Cedar Swamp

White Cedar Swamp Description

Leopold

The Cedar Swamp is dreary at this morning, the color being leached away from the day before. Even the trees are left to a grey color with small attempts at color. The rain from days before has returned the habitat into its former self, a swamp with moguls of water. The cedar trees stand perfectly vertical and let in more light than usual had it been July. The earth floor is blanketed in a rich orange from the fallen leaves of the cedar trees that are left bare until the very tops of the trees, reaching for sunlight. A boardwalk snakes through the swamp and allows me to trek through the swamp, taking note of the life found within it. I was able to spot a few different birds of unique voices. Sparrows, Chickadees, and a Cardinal made their own appearances briefly in the cedar woods. I looked after them quietly and was sure to be silent and still in my observations. There was more unidentified rustling a way out of the swamp that I was unable to investigate. The area surrounding the swamp too seemed over bogged with water, unable to drain it all out through the sandy soil. I fear I may have scared off some of the life in the swamp.

 

Phenology Spot Comparisons

Wright

There are many differences in these two unique habitats that have been chosen. The earth for one differs. The site of Vermont has a more loamy soil, soil that makes the vegetation thankful and thrives in times of growth. Now the trees of Vermont have shed their leaves and rid themselves of the excess energy requirement, happy to be free. They have left the woods blanketed yellow and created more cover for the life that hides on the earth floor, grateful for the extra safety. The floor of the Cedar Swamp differs greatly. The floor is a series of mounds and depressions, covered in the orange leaves of the cedar trees and the green moss growing in the watery soil, happily hydrated. The earth is filled with water and squelches with pressure. The Cedar trees stand stoic, concentrating on the habitat around them. Unlike the diversity of hardwood trees in Vermont that keeps each other company. The life of Vermont holds more diversity as well, the different melodies of birds are prominent, and the ground vegetation holds more diversity as well, the spot in Vermont enjoys the small differences within the site. The Cedar Swamp on Cape Cod appreciates its uniformity and shared characteristics within the site.

Nov 4th, 2018 Entry

As the month shifts into November, it is possible to see an increase in changes in the surrounding environment. The deciduous trees have lost the majority of their leaves and left a colorful array of yellow and red leaf litter on the ground. The majority of overhead Canadian Goose migrations have already occurred and the distinct goose call is heard less and less. I identified the call of a hermit thrush described as “oh, holy holy, ah, purity purity eeh, sweetly sweetly”. I also heard the calls of  chickadees communicating in Trinity woods. A greater span of the woods is visible with the fallen leaves and the countours of the ground is visible as well. I also spotted what appeared to be deer droppings a little further into the woods than my own pinpointed location.