Originally published November 3, 2023
Today (November 3, 2023), Redstone Pines is looking very different than it did a month ago. While spending some meditative time alone in the pines, it was not nearly as relaxing as usual. Today, though the temperature was around 50, the wind chill was extreme for me as a southerner. I mostly noticed the wind whistling across my skin and into my cold ears. I heard and saw a small class walking through the area and scribbling notes into their notebooks. I mostly noticed how barren this usually bustling spot was. I spent some time at my site in the middle of a sunny Friday, but it was virtually empty because of the chill. During my time exploring, I completed my birds-eye view map, pictured below.
To put the map into perspective, I have included a few photos of noted landmarks below.
This is the rock formation.
This is the shrub ditch.
While visiting the pines, I noticed a couple phenological changes. First, the ground was covered with significantly more pine cones and pine needles.
I also spotted a large fungus growth unlike anything I have ever seen at the pines.
Aside from a few select oaks and miscellaneous vegetation, the beauty of Redstone Pines is that it has remained green into the fall. Most of the trees here are conifers, so there isn’t much visual difference throughout the seasons. I can’t wait to see the pines covered in snow!
