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.