I visited my phenology spot today for the third time! This visit was especially exciting because of some very clear phenological changes that had just occurred in the woods. It was actively snowing when I arrived! With the first few inches of snow on the ground, the woods were transformed into a winter wonderland! This snow was especially wet (perfect snowman snow) and stuck on the branches of surrounding trees. Ferns and other vegetation at my spot were flattened and covered by a thin layer of snow. There also was a thick layer of dead leaves under the freshly fallen snow. The woods felt completely different from the last time I visited. They seemed to be much quieter and felt more peaceful. The only sounds I could hear were of water flowing over rocks in the brook. There is a science behind this peacefulness. Snow absorbs sound, so when a fresh blanket of snow covers the landscape, it absorbs the sound waves, making it seem quieter outside. I think I will appreciate this quietness away from the bustling campus. While at my spot, I noticed no signs of wildlife, but there were some unidentifiable tracks in the snow. It often seems that there is not a lot going on in the natural world during winter. Some species have begun hibernating and others have flown away, however, there are many mammals, birds, and even insects that remain active throughout this cold season. I hope that I get at chance to see them at my site! Other changes documented were a significant loss of canopy coverage, a drop in temperatures, and a change in color scheme, from oranges and reds to white and brown. I hope that this snow stays!