To get to my sit spot, I walked down a slope which leads to a grassy bank dotted with pink flowers located along Carvin’s Creek. Several trees shelter this spot, making it seem dim and private. When I was first exploring this area, I began to get excited when I found wild berry and tomatillos plants along the bank, and I felt convinced that I had found my ideal sit spot. I don’t regret my decision. The air is noticeably cooler under the canopy, and the sheltering trees and the sound of the creek make my sit spot feel like a reprieve from the rest of campus.

I arrived at my sit spot for the second time on the first of October. It was evening and I could see the setting sun through the trees. The sky was almost clear, with only a few wispy clouds, and the weather was in the 70s. From my sit spot, I could smell the earthy scent of grass, as well as the sweet, musty scent of fallen leaves, a scent that I strongly associate with autumn. The forest is still predominantly green, but leaves in the canopy have begun to turn yellow, and there are fallen leaves carpeting the ground and accumulating in the creek.

From my place on a blanket, I watched the forest across the creek, which is directly to the west. Across the creek, the forest is situated on a slight incline. Japanese stilt grass is growing along the bank, taking over the forest floor. To the west, there is a leafless bush with red berries, which appear as splashes of color against the dim forest. To the north, a bird’s nest is perched between the branches of a sycamore. A group of birds were gathered there, emitting a high pitched twittering. To the south, directly behind me, a rotted log is nestled between two trees; one of these trees is a sycamore and the other I can’t identify, but it has round, green fruits hanging from its branches.

I’ve noticed several changes since the last time I was here. More dry, brown leaves carpet the ground than before. The canopy is still mostly green, but a greater number of the leaves have turned yellow. Several wildflowers have appeared, white with long, delicate petals. I noticed more animals this time than in my first sit spot experience. Directly in front of me where I set up my blanket, I noticed a tiny blue-gray caterpillar curled around a leaf. I heard of a rooster crowing from the forest, and watched a monarch butterfly land on a tree branch. Just as I was getting up to leave, a flock of about 15-20 geese flew over my head, honking loudly and flying in v-formation.

I’m going to follow the wild berry plants, the tomatillo plants, and the low-hanging tree across the creek. I chose the wild berry and tomatillo plants because I want to watch their progress as their fruit ripens and grows. As for the low-hanging tree, I watch to focus on its seasonal changes, such as the leaves turning color and falling off.