HEY COOL CATAMOUNTS AND KITTENS! We are back in the fine Burlington outdoors, but in this edition, we are on the move! Here’s a recounting of my encounters during this fine fall stroll.
On a brisk Sunday afternoon, I met two friends in front of Patrick Gym. A slight breeze and bright blue sky characterized this crisp November day. Here we embarked on our journey only to observe a dusting of snow on Mount Mansfield far in the distance. Although not nearby, this phenological change is an important indicator of the turning of seasons from mild to harsh. Luckily, we were not afflicted by malicious conditions. As we set foot towards Spear Street, we noticed a constructed marsh of cattails buffering the parking lot and athletic facilities. This area likely collects a lot of runoff seeing that it is adjacent to many impermeable surfaces. Walking past the athletic facilities, we noticed that the trees lining the street, mostly maple, were baren, their leaves littering the muddy ground. Save the one pine tree, still green and holding onto its needles. Milkweed populated the nearby shrubbery and there were signs of recent seed dispersal due to windy conditions.
While reaching the bike path, we noticed an instant change in species composition. Rather than planned plantings with calculated spacing, the paved path is in a corridor of mixed species flourishing amidst the nearby disturbances of neighborhood and golf course development. A mix of native and nonnative, we primarily observed crabapple, sugar maple, buckthorn, basswood, apple, and sumac trees. I was curious to know how the golf course impacted these plants and what the succession would look like if the land were not clear. Also, many of these plants were fruiting plants. Could birds perusing the pathways be consuming the fruitful seeds in one spot and dispersing them by defecation in the next?
Then for the showstopper location: the UVM Dairy Barn!
Although a phosphorous and pollutant producing haven, the cuteness of the cows was too hard to resist. Now that winter is upon us, most were in the barn and some horses were grazing in the field and wearing jackets. Pigeons also seemed to be sheltering from the elements and forming nests amongst their odorous bovine friends. Here I learned that cows are impregnated year-round so they can remain lactating throughout the year. No bulls are kept on the property, but there were plenty of calves! Receiving cow kisses was the highlight of my day and might possibly be the highlight of my week. All cleared land consisting of grassy fields and muddy clearings, no trees to be seen. The highway bordered the eastern edge of the farm. This is not a friendly place for the pollution intolerant.
We continued through the golf course and escaped unscathed. There were intermittent stands of trees. Many pines, some were walnut. But most of the land was cleared and kept pristinely trimmed. As winter approaches, we are likely to see less people frequenting the land as they retreat into the warmth of their homes. There was lots of greenery as of now, but this is highly likely to change as the weeks draw on.
For visual reference, here’s a map of our journey including locations and landmarks along the way. Until next time, toodles!