Click here for a link to my new phenology site
I decided to change my spot this semester for a variety of reasons, but one of them being the fact that I was drawn to this place when passing by. The new spot had a certain afternoon glow, a perfect winter glow from my perspective. You can get there pretty easily by following the Centennial trail off of Catamount Drive, and once you get to the first break in the trees, a small wetlands, you cross the brook and you have made it!
I found myself visiting my new place on a pretty cold, and windy day which might be the reason why I didn’t see a lot of tracks. Among the things I did notice, I could here some birds (mostly crows), I saw signs of a snowshoe hare (that had probably passed by recently), I saw tracks from a lot of small rodents (probably squirrels, and mice), I noticed a set of deer tracks imprinted deep in the snow. While walking I also came across a hole in the snow, possibly a habitat for a medium sized animal based on the size of the whole.
In terms of a trees, there wasn’t to much variation in species but I was still pleasantly surprised by what I had found. It took me a while to find out how to take pictures of the buds, with the lighting being an issue, and the buds being too small to focus on. Eventually I found that if I used my hand as a backdrop, I would be able to focus on those buds correctly, so I apologize for my hand being in every shot. Respectively, In order of pictures I found a Red Maple tree, shown by the red bud, and shape, also when crushed it provided no odor. There were a large amount of willow, probably since my spot is very close to the brook. I found a twig that I assumed is a Box Elder, but after looking at the bud more closely I could not figure it out, it kind of resembles a Sassafras bud. And lastly I found a twig that surely resembles a Box Elder with the white bud, a fleece like texture, and a purple twig. Below I also attached my sketch of the Box Elder twig, labelled and all.
Overall I would say that it was a pretty successful visit, I can’t wait to explore it more in the soon to come spring!