Farewell, Phenology

A gloomy day for a solemn occasion. Today, I spent some time at Pioneer to conduct my final phenology session. I’ve really grown fond of my little spot: the ever-changing fungi, the magical ledge of over-hanging tree roots, the little tree learning the methods of its elders. Nature planned some pleasant wonders for me, which I will take as a heart-felt good-bye!

There were growths of fungus on both stumps, specimens I had never seen before. The common “burnt-orange bubble” fungus also had new developments. On the first stump, there were mushrooms that I have officially named “cream and dark brown umbrellas.” They resemble more your “typical” mushroom. The south side of the second stump had the other new variety:  something I call “very dark orange umbrellas.”

I saw a lonely male mallard attempt to interact with a happy duck couple, but they left him in the dust. I wish we could have seen baby ducklings during our phenology experiences!

Phenology has helped me create a personal experience with the natural world, even if that natural world is simply a city park. We too often forget to enjoy the simple beauty of the world around us. Thanks, phenology, for rekindling my appreciation for all things wonderfully ordinary, from mushrooms to a tree’s first buds of spring!

The tree in my site.

The lonely male mallard, attempting and failing relationships with others.

"Very dark orange umbrella" fungus

A particular very dark orange umbrella that was flattened out.

"cream and dark brown umbrella" fungus

last phenology blog ever! Yay we are almost done with high school forever. Last time we did phenology it was quite clear that the weather has switched more on the side of summer then spring or winter. The world of nature is full of life and movement. Can't wait to be able to spend my entire day outside, school is great for learning about nature and I have learned a lot about the environment but to actually be able to spend the entire day outside would be great. I really liked this last section, food, because we all eat food so it is relevant to all of us. I learned quite a lot about food this section how important eating local, environmentally friendly, and organically. This really has changed how I look at food these days with a new light. It is very important that we all help our community by eating locally.

So long, Farewell

Today was our final day to be outside for phenology. Although this is a somewhat sad day, it also is a day to look back and reflect on all that we have learned through our phenological studies over the coarse of the year.
     For those of us who have been here for the whole year we have seen Pioneer Park in almost every season. from the fall to the spring. This excites me because when I think back on what we have observed i see that really although the park is constantly physically changing, its core and main attributes are never wavering. During almost all the seasons of the year children and people were found in the park enjoying all that it had to offer, and the creek and the hills were always in sight no matter what the season was.
     Something that I also was thinking about is the creek itself. never before had I realized how much it fluctuates in depth and the speed of its flow. It is truly amazing how the aspects of the weather play considerable parts in the establishment of the parks ecosystem.
     The growth of the plants of the parks through the seasons is also something that has taken my fancy. Never before had I so closely observed the development of the leaves to their dormancy state in the fall, nor to the establishment of their regrowth state during the spring. Even today as I was walking to my phenology site I could see plooms of pollen filling the air, and the Dandylions had gone to their seeding state.

Good Bye Tree

Over the course of this year I have seen my tree go through all four seasons . I have seen my tree bare, full, and I have seen my tree gray and green. It was an amazing opportunity to get in touch with nature and just observe the things living around me. I have a new and forever long appreciation for nature. I respect the things growing around me and have an all new awareness of all creatures. Now that we are in spring my tree has blossomed with leaves; bright green leaves. There are dandelions everywhere too!The stream is filled with water and ducks to drink it. The grass is thick and green. The sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky. It's amazing how much bird activity has increased as it got warmer. From a non-environmental science student it might have looked as though I was taking a snooze out there, but I was really taking in all of the nature around me. The hot sun on my skin, the wind running across my arms, and the birds chirping away were all the peaceful attributes to this class that I will miss. For future students I recommend this class for many reasons. After taking this course I feel I have taken on an entirely new awareness about everything from what I put into my body to what is in my water and how this American society plays a huge role in all of that. Ms.Lord has taught me to simply take advantage of living in Montana; where our community has a larger opportunity to succeed in many aspects if we want it to. I am so inspired and am very excited for my future as I am more curious about the decisions that I make that affects me and the environment around me. Thank you senior high for offering this class. 

(:

I really like that environmental science is the only class that allows you to get out of a desk and go outside. Doing phenology was really fun, especially during the spring when it was nice outside. I will admit that i slightly abused the privledge and i apologize for that(Mrs. Lord). I have never really taken the time to stop and appreciate nature and our environment until we went out for phenology. The last time i checked my spot there was fresh grass around the whole bank of the creek. The trees were fully budded and the water level was 4 inches higher than the last time.

Nothing Special

In my phenology spot I don't have anything special; no weeping tree, no hole, no chain smoking middle school kids. But, I have come to enjoy my spot, and to notice all the little things in my area. It is a very depressing thing to think about having to leave this place. In recent phenology trips I realized that the school year is coming to an end, and so is phenology. On my last post I have not noticed anything significantly different. The only difference that I noticed was the length of the grass and the sunrise/sunset times. Considering this is my last post I might as well say good-bye!

Phenology, it's been real.

I am basically in denial that the year has flown by without my recognition. I honestly have no idea where do begin with this last post. 

Phenology has been an incredible experience. I started with such a closed mind, assuming that this was too "granola" for me. I was sure that there would be nothing spectacular about looking at grass and bark for almost a whole year. In my mind, certainly nothing would happen and I would be stuck writing the same things over and over. Yet, even with the transition into autumn I had come to realize that I had been living all this time oblivious to all that surrounded me. It is as if this fast pace society we live in had brainwashed me. Looking back on this, HOW COULD I NOT NOTICE SUCH SIGNIFICANT CHANGES! 

I had learned to take advantage of this time to also gather my thoughts and just relax. I am a very anxious person, everything makes me nervous. During a typical phenology day, I would find the time enjoyable and therapeutic. Slowing down and just allow your existence to be is genuinely an experience the modern day teenager may never fully get .

Since my mind has been trained to focus on details in nature I have recently been able to focus on detail much more easily than before. I plan to take time every now and then to venture out alone and just focus on nature and appreciate it for what it is.