My phenology site looks a lot different than it did in October. The open area had been fully of short woody plants and grasses, which are now gone for the most part, after being flattened by snow and weather over the winter. Buds are starting to swell, and leaves are starting to grow back on the smaller trees now. Some new saplings have also been planted in the area.
The major landmark at my site is the wooden plank bridge. I stand on it in the same spot every time I visit, to make sure my photos are taken from the same point. There are a few small standing trees to the right when I am facing the open area, and there is a fallen tree on the other side of the path. The stream I cross to get to my site is also a major landmark. The most minor landmark I think is the fungus that has been growing on the same spot of the fallen tree for a few months now.
Nature and culture intertwine in the footpath at my site. It seems like it wasn’t originally a designated path, but was used enough that a path was established, and sometime before my first visit the plank bridge was put in to help the ground and small plants growing there. I think it says a lot about how people will always go where they want, so sometimes the best thing to do is to just try to make it less damaging.
Finally, as much as I would like to, I don’t think I would consider myself a part of my place. I think of myself more as a visitor than a real part of it, because it goes on without me. I don’t visit often to see every phenological change that happens there, just the biggest seasonal ones. It could be someone else’s phenology site next year, but I could keep visiting. I’m a bit sad that my blog is coming to an end, but I’m so glad I got to visit such a beautiful place all year.
