Catching Up!

I've been able to visit my phenology site three times this February and each time the weather has turned out to be rather nice! I was able to record detailed notes in my journal about each of the different experiences I had at my site. Now, I'm finally getting around to writing a post (sorry for procrastinating).

Looking back on my first recording at the beginning of February, I remember feeling like it had been a long time since I had visited my phenology sight. However, nothing in the area looked too different through my perception. Looking around, you could tell that it was still winter. The air felt cold. Small patches of white snow were resting on the dead grass. Tiny twigs and pieces of rock were still scattered under my tree, covered in a light layer of frost. As I sat on my tree stump, I pondered where all of the small twigs and pieces of rock had come from.

While sitting on this tree stump, I enjoy picking up the rather dirty twigs or sticks and examining them. Each twig, stick, or rock is unique in its own way and I find myself to be interested in really looking at them. Each piece of nature, in general, is so beautiful to me.

I'm looking forward to our new unit in class about rocks!

Phenology from the month of February!!

My site located in Pioneer Park is stream-side with two tall ash trees. There are some leaves still located on the limbs, the grass has been caught in between brown and green, and there has been snow on and off all month. 

That is a brief look at what has been going on at my site. From my past visits I have noticed an increase in non-natural substances located in my section of the stream and the surrounding area. Of what substance do you speak? I am speaking of the substance known as trash or litter. It is everywhere and because of it's presence, instead of being filled with peace, I am filled with anger, when looking at my site. It is quite clear that human beings still don't understand anything about their natural surroundings, how can this be? There are several things within and without our education that teach us to not litter. It is a very simple concept and seeing as we don't live in the " stone Age" a concept that is easy to follow. There are trash bins and dumpsters provided for the very use of keeping trash in a designated container that will be emptied periodically.

On the second visit there were two ducks waddling around, it was mostly cloudy, there was lots of snow, and my part of the stream had lots of debris that blocked most of the water flow. Thankfully some of the trash had been removed from my site. The two trees still have some leaves hanging in there. I kind of want to get some dirt from my site to see what we will see with our dirt from our land. It would be interesting to see how the stream effects it either in a good or bad way. And of course the trash.

American Crow

The first thing I do when I begin phenology is my sound tapestry. I sit down, close my eyes, and listen to nature.In the winter I barely hear any bird activity.I mostly hear crows, they seem like they are more adaptable to winter.They are larger in size so they have more feathers and generate more body heat.Also, they are native here in Montana.They are omnivores, therefore they eat eggs, human scraps, seeds, fish, and grain. They are hunted by owls, but adult crows are less frequently predated.There is a large population of crows in Montana as they reside here in Billings.I can see how we have many of these birds living in Pioneer park because of the food and habitat available to them.I learn a lot just by listening.When the the weather started turning cold, I started to hear less bird activity, assuming that they were migrating.This is my favorite part of phenology because just by listing I can recognize the presence or absence of any species.

Some Basics on the Willow Tree

In my site at Pioneer Park there is a willow tree, a peach leaved willow, to the east of the creek. Willow trees can be found in several Montana landscapes. They are often planted for almost a decoration to lawns and gardens. The willow tree is known for its excellent shade and in some cases can add character with its long “sagging” branches (weeping willow). A willow tree can grow eight feet per year, considering it one of the fastest growing trees. It is very flexible with its growing environment and can grow in various types of soils. This tree is also known for absorbing water. The willow’s leaves start appearing early spring and are some of the last to fall. I never was aware but willow trees are very abundant in Montana.

Notes From Late February

          On February 22nd of 2012 I went out for phenology at 10:30 P.M. The air temperature was 6° C and the water temperature was 4° C. The sunrise that day was 7:06 A.M. and the sunset was 5:50 P.M. I saw a squirrel climbing a tree and then running and jumping across the creek. It had very orange fur and a big tail. I think it might have been a Red Squirrel. The water depth was 8 cm, which was 2  cm less than the last time I took phenology notes. It was cloudy out and sprinkling a bit, but not that much. I heard the wind blowing against things like branches, which happens when it's windy out sometimes. I also heard the creek flowing and a crow cawing.

Later in February..

I went out for Phenology on February 22, 2012. The water level had really dropped in my site over the month, it was about 10 cm at the beginning and its down to 9 or less. It was slightly raining that day and cloudy. The grass in my site is starting to turn green. There are no new leaves on the trees though. There is still a lot of litter in the creek and also there was a squirrel running through my site up to a tree. This is a picture i took of the water and bank in my site.

Early February Phenology...

I went out for Phenology on February 8, 2012.  I observed two ducks in my site. They were eating out of the bottom of the creek. I believe they were mallards. It was sunny and slightly windy that day. The air temp. was -4/3 degrees C brrrr!  The water temp. was 3 degrees C. There was half an inch of snow on the ground as well. There was also plastic in my site in the water. People should pick up after themselves to help keep the environment clean. 

Reflections from a cold day...

One cold Wednesday morning, February eighth to be exact, I was out for phenology.To my right there were these  two ducks drinking water cautiously.It was a very windy day and there was an inch of snow on ground. My tree was covered in snow and there was not a leaf left hanging.I could see that the snow had just lied itself down before I went out there, because there were barely any feet imprinted in the snow. The water level was high, I assume it was because of the snow, and it had rained a little. The water temperature 39.2 degrees F, and there was no fish activity. During my sound tapestry I didn't hear any bird activity,I could only hear the wind and the stream moving. It was very silent and peaceful that day. It was just me, the stream, and the ducks listening to each other. That was the end of phenology that day.

Notes From Early February

Hello, this post is over the phenology observations I took on February, 8, 2012. I went out at 9:40 A.M. The sunrise then was 7:27 A.M. and the sunset was 5:30 P.M. The depth of the creek that day was ten centimeters. The air temperature was -4° Celsius, while the water temperature was 3° C. There was some snow, maybe around 3 centimeters, it covered the ground enough so that you couldn't really see what was under it. There were some sort of bird tracks that were coming from the creek and going east towards the tennis courts a bit, but not as far in distance. There were some sounds that I noticed, there was a dog that I heard, the water from the creek flowing, a plane flying and, as usual, some cars. This date contrasted when I did phenology on February 22nd a bit, which you'll see in my next post.

A Tree and a Stump

As I walk to my site every phenology I listen for sounds other than the water flowing in the creek. When I get to my site I tend to look at the tree to see if there are any birds in it, or any organisms for that matter. I tend to go see the water depth first and see if there are any animals in the water. I jot down what I see and how the whether is.
The tree in my phenology site may be a tad crooked but not by much. As I look from the top of the tree down to the bottom I notice a stump right next to it. There must have been another tree there. I've no idea when that other tree got cut down but the stump is a nice place to lay down my notebook or sit if I don't feel like standing up. There have been times when I've wondered why the other tree had been cut down in the first place. The dirt around the tree and the stump is flat with a few small sticks and twigs laying around it.
I like my site and am glad I picked it.

Everyone Loves Fungus!

My phenology site is quite well known for its fungi abundance. Growing along multiple sides of the two stumps located in my site, there is often a variety of fungus.

On the first stump, a type of dark-orange, brownish fungus that looks quite a bit like bubbles. These are found on the north and northwest sides. Around the end of September, their appearance began to deteriorate. Also on this stump, there is a “colony” of fungi that resemble coral or brains. This fungus is a brownish gray color, with bright white rims. At one time there was another kind of burnt orange fungus on this stump, but had more of a shelf fungus appearance.

The second stump is also home to some of the dark orange bubble fungus, along the north sides. On the south side of this stump, there has been a grayish shelf fungus growing. It always looks rather dead, and hasn’t changed much in appearance over the harsh winter months.

I know my descriptions are rather wishy-washy, but I hope they can give you a feel of the diverse fungi populations in our quaint Pioneer Park!

Spring Is On It's Way

                                 
    
     Well it's the middle of February and the weather has been a bit chilly.  It is a little colder than it was in January.  We have not had a very cold winter as it was last year.  It has been kind-of windy and it has snowed very little.  Phenology was sort of miserable it was really cold and very windy.  I know this winter has been warmer than it has ever been.  As I was out last Sunday in the MSUB parking lot it was really nice out.  The sun was shinning and the weather was decent.  During that time I was thinking about spring.  I went for a run on the rims on Thursday morning and it was nice out just a little cold.  I notice how it is getting darker later.  It seems to be getting darker after five instead of four thirty.    I can just see and feel spring coming.  I know that we need a little bit more snow because it's been weird.  It barely snowed in December and  unfortunately we had no snow during Christmas.  So I hope that it will snow once again sometime soon.  I know everyone gets sick of winter.  So I would just say enjoy winter and spring will come shortly.

Mercy's Observations: February 17th

          This February Billings had witnessed some unsteady weather activity, it was almost as if the weather was drawn out of a hat. The indecisive weather activity didn't seem to have any effect on the bird activity around my phenology site. Amazingly, a couple of birds, which I could not identify, were hopping and chirping on the tree that lies upon my site. I had not recalled any bird activity prior to this event.     

     It is crazy how a little extra attentiveness will make a difference with projects of this sort. I should have noticed this before. During a phenology day, I walked around more and climbed the gnarled tree a bit. My discovery? Another cove in the tree deep between two of the large, main branches. Peeking through this mysterious cove, I was eager to find something significant. Nothing. Disappointed, I reminded myself that at least I found the dang cove. 

     Snow had also made an appearance this past month. At the beginning of the school year I had cockily hypothesized that the creek would indeed freeze in the event of winter temperatures. I was wrong. The only ice that I have ever recorded resides at the very edges of the creek, basically nonexistent. I shall remain optimistic throughout the last months of winter, though. I am determined to find some footprints from an animal other than a house pet in snow. Mark my words. 

     I was originally going to post pictures, but my computer doesn't want to be my friend at the moment. That's the cool thing about nature, it doesn't reject you like a computer does. 
       

Springtime!

                After Thursday’s (February 2^nd) phenology, I was feeling confident that Punxsutawney Phil had mistakenly been frightened back into his den for another 6 weeks of winter, and even us in cold old Montana were in the cusp of spring!  In my site, there was only one measly pile of snow left. I noticed that, along the stream bank, the grass was beginning to turn green. The ground was muddy and melty, and everything had that feeling of newness that comes only with spring. Moss had grown over the root ledge and the base of the tree, reminding me of a West coast rainforest. Ohhh spring fever! How easily I catch it!

The seasonal changes from Summer to Winter

This blog is about our phenological experiences at Pioneer park where we have been observing since the beginning of first semester. The first time we we went out was August 25, 2011. In August and September it was really warm. On September 28th my partner and I discovered a water strider in the pond. We also got the times for sunrise which was at 7:05 a.m. and sunset at 7:00 p.m. The first snowfall we had was the beginning of November. On November 16th it was about mid-fall and it was freezing outside. The sunrise was at 7:15 am and the sunset was at 4:42 pm. On December 2nd we had snow but it got warmer. During December and January it has been quite warm such as fall temperature. In the middle of January it started to snow but has melted. Our last phenology recorded was December 22nd. There was a little bit of snow on the ground and the wind was blowing hard. We got the air temp to be -4 degrees Celsius and the water temp at 3 degrees Celsius. The sunrise was 7:53 pm and 4:33 pm. This was the day after the winter solstice. Look how far we have come!! I cannot wait to do more!!

Not Really A Post...

Hello Everyone!

Let me start by letting you all know that I am loving this project.  I appreciate the variety we are getting in the posts, the personal voice and flavor you each are contributing, and the general atmosphere being created here.

However, I want to give a few reminders:

1) We are still in the infancy stage here, but I would prefer that your posts be PROOFED in the draft stage and only posted when they are free of grammatical and other syntax errors!  This blog is technically already public (though most of the free-world has no idea we exist!) but in a few weeks I will be making it REALLY PUBLIC by inviting our principle, your parents, your friends, etc. to view what we are creating. I want our blog to reflect the effort, thought, and learning taking place and I want it to be something we can all be proud of. Grammatical errors and simple writing mistakes have the potential to distract from our goal and devalue what we are accomplishing!

Maybe we'll set up some sort of peer-editing format to help with this aspect of the project, but for now, please remember that you can go back and edit your previous posts and check your work before posting in the future. 

2) Please be sure to make relevant comments on each other's posts... it's helpful and fun to give and receive constructive feedback, questions, thoughts, etc. 

3) Keep it up! We have a cool thing going on here! 

The Sounds of Phenology

Okay, so I've got this amazing spot all by my lonesome self on the creek, right next to this gigantic, looming tree (tree identification is not my specialty), where I record the daily lives of every single living or not living thing in the area. This is where I do this snazzy thing called phenology, which is when you watch an specific area for an indefinite amount of time and record EVERYTHING that happens there. If there is a misplaced branch, you record it. If there is even the slightest of a breeze, you record it. If the creek drops a few centimeters in water, you record it. It's also something you do generally at the same time of the day to keep the data even as possible. Now as boring as that may sound, it's actually really interesting what can happen when you're not there observing overnight.



Since we live in Montana, known for it's unstable weather patterns, it's never the same thing twice when we go out to record. Sometimes, like last November, it'll be 64 degrees Fahrenheit and we'll be seeing the sweet green grass under our shoes. Then there are days in December, when not as much writing was done as shivering and slipping on the ice. The amazing thing is that my surroundings truly adapt to this craziness we call "normal." 

There is this process we do called sound tapestry, where we basically listen to all the sounds and noises that occur within a fifteen minute time frame. You then record what the sounds appear to YOU, by following the flow of their patterns and mimic it with a design that represents it. This just so happens to be my favorite part of phenology because not only does it show how the outside noise change over time, but it also the most entertaining to look back to.

First Semester of Phenology!

First Semester of Phenology!
For as long as I can remember, I've loved spending time out in nature! However, as I've grown older, I've noticed a significant decrease in the amount of time I choose to spend in nature. We as teenagers, living in this society, are able to spend our time in so many different ways. With having all of this new modern technology offered to us, as well as the media screaming to get our attention, we may sometimes find it challenging to unplug ourselves and spend some one-on-one time with nature. I’ll be one of the first to admit that I’ve fallen into an unhealthy addiction to technology. However, I’ve been longing to gain the connection back that I used to feel I had with the outdoors. Since participating in phenology, I’d say I’m on my way to doing so.



At the beginning of this school year, Mrs. Lord introduced me and my Environmental Science class to phenology. I had never heard of it before and wouldn’t have ever imagined it would soon hold so much meaning to me. Each student in the class was able to choose a phenology spot down along the creek in Pioneer Park. After choosing a spot, we were able to open up to our area and become more aware of the surroundings within the spot we each chose. Ever since then, we’ve returned to our phenology spots about once every week and have recorded observations made from spending time there. As we sit and observe, we try to listen for different sounds that we hear and watch for different eye catching sights. We write about any changes we see or anything interesting we come across. This gives us a chance to really feel nature and look at it with open, attentive eyes.



My phenology spot is right next to the creek, where I sit under a small and odd looking tree. I find this spot to be very unique and hope to post a picture of it soon, but currently am having difficulties doing so. On a more personal level, I usually find that the time I spend at my phenology spot is very peaceful and inspiring. As I sit and watch the gentle flow of the creek, I find that my thoughts slow down and my body becomes less tense. It becomes much easier to let go of any troubles that were hanging above me, back at the high school, and nature becomes my greater focus. I’m yet to come across anything unfamiliar at my phenology sight. I would consider all of what I’ve heard and seen to be normal for the area, but have found excitement in the small changes I’ve observed. During the first semester of phenology I was able to watch the changes in nature due to the change in season. I was able to observe the grass turn from green to brown, watch the leaves fall from the trees and feel the air turn bitter cold. As we start our next semester of phenology, I look forward to making new observations and learning more about my phenology spot.

Phenology at Pioneer Park

                       

Phenology is a chance for relaxation, getting in touch with nature, and listening to what is around you.

My area is half-way between the bridge and consists of a tree, the stream, and a grassy hill. I start each session by picking something off of the ground or something that catches my eye, and draw a picture of it. I describe the color, size, and texture. Then, I describe where I found it, how I think it got there, and what makes it different. One day just as I sat down a berry of some sort had dropped onto my paper. I was confused as to where it had come from considering I couldn't see any berry plants near by. I looked up because I heard a sound and a bird flew away. I examined the berry and there had been a divet the size of that birds' bill taken from the berry. I then realized that the bird had dropped its food from its mouth right on my paper. It became very real to me that the habitats around pioneer park are a little too tangible. 

After I observe, I then take a sound tapestry. It a great opportunity to be in touch with nature just by listening. I close my eyes and listen to the coexistence between humans and animals. One may here an airplane or a bird, people walking or the leaves crunching, the river flowing or cars driving. One can interpret those sounds by the way you draw them in your notes by stressed and unstressed repetition of shapes or lines. I then look up at the sky and write down what I see. Cloudy or clear skies? I write about the wind by figuring out what direction is it going. I find the sun and write approximately where it is and how it affects my area by giving it shade or light. I write about all the physical changes about my tree based on the season it is. I have a willow tree and the leaves didn't fall off until late in the winter. The percentage of leaves, color of the leaves, and changes in the bark are what I write about explaining the changes to my tree. 

I then check the depth of the stream by measuring it with a meter stick. I write about the bird activity and plant species. A classmate is responsible for the air and water temperature and we also write that down. Sunset and sunrise are also relevant and we write that down as well. I loved taking advantage of this time to be in touch with nature and write down anything that I thought had changed over time. Also, picking up trash around my area was a simple easy way to preserve the park and make a difference in many of the animals habitats. I cannot wait to start a new semester with phenology.

An Exciting Phenology Excursion

Bundled up to the point of a marshmallow-like appearance, I trudge out into the cold on December 22nd  to conduct phenology.  I walk to my site: an interesting grove of one tree and two stumps with the roots creating a ledge-type structure reaching into the stream. My site is roughly 2/3 of the way between the drainage area and the first bridge. I take my usual seat, the middle stump, and begin observations.

                Recording the day’s weather starts my routine. Today happens to be a sunny, blue-sky day. Unfortunately, there is also a very chilly wind. A measly skiff of snow covers the ground, and I can only hope for more. Next I record the sounds with a sound tapestry. I always enjoy scribbling to depict what I hear.   A relatively quiet day, I record only some kind of bell, an alarm, and person walking. Now is the time I simply sit and observe. How do the ever-present fungi living on the stumps look today? What is on the ground around my site? The air? Any interesting things in the creek?

                When a creature swimming down the creek catches my eye, I am genuinely shocked. It looks alarmingly like a rat, but is skillfully doggy-paddling. After an initial sensation of fear, I begin to shriek and call to nearby observers, realizing the rare sighting occurring. Ms. Lord eventually joins the small group of on-lookers and declares “It’s the muskrat!” I’d only seen such creatures from afar, at locations with larger bodies of water.

                Who knew such exciting creatures resided alongside the typical leeches and water-striders of the Pioneer Park creek! Suddenly, I no longer minded the -4 degree Celsius weather, but simply appreciated all the park had to offer.

Catch Up

Long story short, this blog is about a semester behind where we are currently in our Phenological studies, so we are suppose to catch you up on what has been going on.

The first thing to establish would probably be the timeline. We began our studies in September of 2011 and we are now in February, 2012, so the environmental patterns that we have recorded cover from early fall to late winter. We have observed the park change as the seasons adjust from summer to winter, and the changes have been fascinating.

My area overlooking the creek has indicated not only a significant difference in the physical forms of the area, but also in the observational differences in the weather, sun, and plant habits as well.  We all know that as a general rule during the transition of summer to autumn we begin to get cold winds, and the temperature begins to fall. We also know that as Autumn draws nearer to Winter the leaves change color and fall from their trees, also accompanied by a drastic change in the temperatures of our days and nights.

During the end of the summer I observed much diversity in plant, animal, and bug life in my area. I also took note on the diversity of sounds that could be heard. Often I found that the main noise in the park during the summer and early fall months were human made, children on the park, lawn mowers, dogs, etc. To accompany this I noted that the diversity of the plants in the creek and also in the grass was very large. As fall progressed there was a digression of human activity in the park, and much of the plants that I was observing were dropping their seeds and withering up, or disappearing completely. The banks of the creek gradually dwindled down to the control of 3 basic plants, clover, grass, and another obnoxious larger type of plant resembling clover.

Leaves in the fall are gorgeous. As a class we were asked to include a percentage of leaf change into our observations and I think that it assisted in coming to the realization that trees take a long time to fully loose their leaves, and that some of the pine trees do not loose their leaves at all. The end of October and early November was where I observed the greatest amount of leaf change, and shortly after that was the beginning of our snow fall.

By the time of the first frost in November almost all of the leaves in the creek were turning to a topaz and rust color and the speed and depth of the creek itself had slowed and was lower. The human activity at the park had dropped due to colder temperatures and I began to note more of the noises natural to the park. The honking of the Geese and birds that were flying south was most prevalent.

On the first snow fall day that we had to observe I noted that there were two different types of frost on the grass blades, and also upon further observation I realized that there are different types of snow as well. Frost, called hoar frost is what I was observing, and it is formed when there is little concentration of water, and I connected this to how the snow that we sometimes see in winter that looks like small balls is also formed in similar situations of low water concentration.

This pretty much is where we left off, it has been a while since we were last out, but we have a day of Phenology planned for tomorrow. :)

My phenology site beats your phenology site

As you can see here, I have posted this video instead of having to type up a portrait of my site. I choose it because the tree stood out. It was split into two large, gnarled, main branches. The tree has this really weird cove in it. Sometimes it will be full of candy wrappers, other times large dead beetles. 

Over the course of the last semester's phenology project, certain things happened that I would like to highlight. 
*My phenology tree dropped its leaves very far into the fall season. In fact, it was basically the only tree with leaves on it for a lengthy period of time. 
*The seasonal transition from fall to winter lightened the bark on my tree. 
*The part of the creek in my site is widened. Where this widening is, nature made its very own dam with autumn leaves and twigs after a stormy weekend. The natural dam remained in place for quite a while, forcing the widening to get deeper and even more wider. It was later destroyed by rain/snow fall.


This semester I plan to pay more attention to what is happening around my site. Especially when spring heads our way!

Intro. to Phenology

Phenology has really taught me a lot about our environment.  You really have to look closely at your surroundings to find out what's happening and how it's changing.  This is a picture of one of the trees in my site.  It has changed a lot over the first semester.  It started out with all of its leaves in the fall but now it is barren from winter.  I have really enjoyed observing my site and have learned a lot about it.  It really is nice to get out in nature and have it teach you a thing or two about the changes it goes through.  I'm really excited to see what happens this semester with my site.

Phenology

In the first semester of environmental science we went out to Pioneer Park, and we did a very interesting thing called phenology. Now, I know what you might be thinking, "what is phenology?" and when I first heard about I thought that myself. Phenology is the study of a natural place over time by observing the environment of that area and how it changes.

There were a lot of changes in the spot I chose, for instance, the leaves on a willow tree right next to my spot fell off, but that always happens to deciduous trees. Also, the spot itself changed a lot in terms of how it looked, and in the amount of animal activity. One of the things we do while out there is a sound tapestry which is where we classify the different things we hear by drawings or symbols. At the beginning of the semester you could hear a lot more animals and activity then at the end of the semester, which is very interesting.

The study of phenology is exciting and I hope you enjoy the posts I make on this blog.