11/3, 3:30pm, Sunny, 42°F
Today was the beginning of daylight savings. I sat at my phenology spot around 3:30 p.m., and the sun showed signs of setting. The temps are also beginning to cool, as it was only around 42 degrees Fahrenheit when I was out. I took a deep breath and noticed the subtle notes of fall under the brisk air. When I last came to my spot, the colors had been vibrant. Now, most of the trees have lost their leaves and stand naked in the clearing. The leaf litter made traversing the grounds around my spot somewhat tedious, however, I did so with no slips (this time). The ground right around the boardwalk and extending into the meadow is always saturated, even though we haven’t had substantial rain in a little while.
The ferns and mosses sported a rich green color still, making them easy to spot in the landscape. I sat in silence for most of the time, but I heard scattered calls from some birds. Here are a few notable ones:
- Dark-eyed junco
- White-throated sparrow
- Downy woodpecker
- Winter wren (this one was exciting! A lifer for me)
- Black-capped chickadee
- White-breasted nuthatch
- Cedar waxwing (?)
The Norway maples are putting on quite a show right now. Where most everything else in my spot has shed its leaves, the maples are sporting a rich canary yellow, making them easy to identify this time around. The red oaks, yellow birch, and other smaller maples have since gone dormant, however, the Eastern white pines and hemlocks are still green as ever.
The Joe-Pye Weed in the field has finally gone, leaving only its seeds behind. The bright stems of the asters are no longer visible, as most of the wildflowers have passed their prime now. Now, the ramifications of fall and, subsequently, winter feel all the more real. While the land seems to be battening down the hatches, I don’t know if I’m ready for the cold.
EWP- Eastern White Pine
Before I left, I saw a large murder of crows traveling above the clearing, and I heard a single raven. A bit of a side tangent, but, since being here, I’ve heard and seen more ravens than I ever have, which has been super cool. While most of the phenology is similar to my home state, a lot of it is different in subtle ways. I love slowly unearthing those differences, but still maintaining a connection to bits of home.