Centennial Brook 12/7/24
My phenology spot looked much different than the last time I visited. Snow covered most of the remaining vegetation and some of the brook itself. The leaves in the area were all gone except for on the conifers which were Eastern White Pine and Eastern Hemlock. Surprisingly, there were still some fruit left on the barberry and buckthorn. I checked if I could see any signs of decomposition, and upon digging up some snow I could still find leaf litter that seemed to be in the process of decomposing. It was darker than before and less of the leaves were fully intact.
Though not very obvious, I could see a few trace of animals like squirrel marks on trees that I had seen in other areas of the forest before. It was a little hard to tell if animals had been through the area because of the human disturbance of the snow and the snow itself covering any marks that would have been in the mud/dirt, but I was able to find some squirrel tracks in the snow! It does seem like animal activity (at least birds) has decreased, however. I didn’t see or hear as many in the area.
Reflecting on all the characteristics of my phenology spot, I most enjoy the sounds of the brook itself; it is relaxing to be around. I also love how the fallen trees make a sort of bridge over the brook (even though I can no longer use it because of the snow/ice). It reminds me in a way that even when things fall or seem broken, they can still be repurposed.