There’s a chill in the air, finals are right around the corner, and the end of the year is swiftly approaching. As I write this, it is a chilly December afternoon and I just visited my phenology spot in Centennial Woods for the final time. Walking back into Centennial Woods this time, I was starkly reminded that the seasons are quickly changing, and the foliage proved that. This visit, the only foliage remaining in Centennial is a few ferns left on the forest floor and the evergreen leaves from both the easter hemlocks and eastern white pines. I noticed that the fall leaf litter is very fresh and new, topped with a fresh dusting of snow. Since warmer temperatures lasted a lot longer than they should have, most leaves fell pretty recently. Underneath the newer leaf litter, there are signs of decomposition beginning with older leaf litter. Since it was so cold, I expected the nearby creek to be frozen over, but it was not, still continuing to flow. I looked around for signs of animal activity, such as tracks, scat, marks, etc. I couldn’t find any signs but I did manage to see and take a photo of a nearby squirrel scavenging on the forest floor for food. I was very excited to just see anything in my area. As I reflect back on my multiple visits to my phenology spot in Centennial Woods and even my new phenology spot at home, it makes me appreciate the quiet and peaceful part of being in nature and being more in tune to my surroundings. Sitting in both phenology spots, it is an important reminder to me to take breaks and live in the present moment. Life has moved so fast since I’ve begun college, so taking time out of my day to sit in nature and appreciate my surroundings helps to ground me and keep me on course.
