Since the last time I visited my phenology spot, the foliage hasn’t changed much. All the deciduous trees still appeared to have lost all their leaves leaving only the coniferous trees not bare. The only persistent vegetation seen was various ferns and moss-covered rocks in the understory and of course the eastern white pines, eastern hemlocks, northern white cedars, and other coniferous trees in the overstory. The fall leaf litter looks like it’s starting to decompose and sequester back into the soil because there’s less abundance of leaves covering the forest floor. Traces of animals can be seen from nests in the trees. The nests are most likely abandoned now but they look like they were home to different species of birds and squirrels. Animal activity seems to have died back a little bit but is still present in the ecosystem.
Overall, one of the aspects of my phenology place that I enjoy the most is the sense of tranquility I receive from being there. I also enjoy how my spot is right next to Lake Champlain and how you can hear the sound of the water moving right below. Another aspect I enjoy is how you have to hike through the woods before getting to my spot because it gets me outside and feels like I’m completing a little workout. Lastly, I appreciate how my spot has two different ecosystems, the lake and the forest, it’s like a little natural laboratory.
Drawing of the overlook at Rock Point.
Drawing of a tree with a squirrel’s nest in it at Rock Point.