November 7, 2022
I arrived at my phenology spot at around 1:30. It was windy, and the sun still felt warm but I could tell the sun retreating to a colder season. There are moments in the year when it seems as though I feel the season and this was one of those moments. I could clearly hear the running water near me, as well as the creak of hemlocks. A change that I noticed since my last visit was the effect the leaves had on the water. The multitude of leaves that fell in the stream was contributing to blockage and although I did not test the pH of the water I would predict this would cause a change in pH. Buckthorn a common invasive tree of Vermont still has many leaves unlike the Maples in the area. The flowers and fungi seem to be passed season and have died yet the ferns, mosses, and grasses are still green and growing. Due to the leaves falling I am now noticing and appreciating the eastern hemlocks more.