At this point in the year, the Phenological changes that have occurred over the past few months are the most apparent. When I first observed my location, the forest was lush with vegetation. The leaves were starting to change colors, the ground was covered in plants, the river was full and running, and the air was filled with birds chirping. As winter neared, the forest started to slow down more and more. Now, none of those signs of life remain. The leaves have fallen off all the trees, and the leaf pack that once covered the ground has been buried by snow, the river runs slower, and birdsong can no longer be heard. Some plants, such as the cranberry bush and crab apple tree, still retain their fruits, but those trees are few and far between. Some animal tracks can be observed in the snow, but not many. The forest has reached a period of serenity that no other season can replicate.
I have loved observing my Phenology location over the past few months. The meadow surrounding my location is incredibly beautiful. It is lush with vegetation and filled with animal activity, making it a lovely spot to sit and think. There are few things more calming than listening to the sounds of the forest: the wind in the trees, the babbling of the brook, and the sounds of the animals all around me. It is truly serene, and that is my favorite part of my location. Sometimes, after a particularly long or stressful day, I come to my phenology spot just to relax, and it has been the best way too calm down after a long day.