I arrived at my sit spot at 6:50 and left at 7:50 (Dawn). I chose this time of day because I had been to my spot at this time only once before, for the first journal experience. This time was much colder than the previous dawn sit spot had been. When I did it that first time, it had been very peaceful, no one was awake and the sky lightened up gradually, although it’s not as breath-taking as the sunset. I also chose this time, because after daylight savings, I was awake earlier than I usually am and had nothing to do.

This time, it was even more peaceful than last time, not even the bugs or the birds were active. Like I said, it was much colder than my last sit spot, which probably contributed a lot to the lack of liveliness. It was 30°F, and the air was dry (very little moisture). There was frost on the ground and I could see my breath (even when I exhaled through my nose). The sky was blue, at first dark and then grew lighter and lighter. As it got lighter I was able to see that there were a few clouds, some were a dark grey (stratus) and a few more (very few) were white with some gray (altocumulus). As I mentioned before, there was no activity by animals, not any insects buzzing around or birds singing in the air. I would like to go again at this time, but it was really cold, so I may not go again in the morning.

I noted a tree that had its leaves in a slightly strange manner, in that it lost all of its leaves on the top of the crown and very few on the base of the crown.

 

 

Two of my three things have changed. The only one that hasn’t changed is Frank’s burrow entrance, although I have caught sight of her over there, it is usually when I am in the Randy common room and not during my sit spot times. I fear that as it gets colder Frank won’t frequent this area as much as her other areas by the chapel and the library, and that I have lost my chance to see her during my journal times.

My ash tree has also changed leaf color and has lost a majority if its leaves. The bark looks strange as well, although after looking back at previous pictures I realize that it hasn’t changed like I thought it had. The bottom of the trunk looked extremely dark and as I looked further up the trunk, the bark turned white, after referencing the past photos, I realize that that color differential has always been there, although the darker bark areas were a lighter brown during the last few times I’ve seen it. The increase in dichotomy may have something to do with the colder air? Or possibly the change in moisture in the air.

The last of my things, were the tire tracks. These have worsened dramatically,  where previously you had to really look and be standing close to see the mud through the grass, now it was the first thing that stood out to me. Even from the doors of the common room, I could see the mud lines leading up the hill and as I got closer, I could even make out the tread of the tires. The grass has been drastically removed from the area due to the constant movement over it, most likely the tires tearing the grass up. The tire tracks look as if they drove through while the ground was wet and as it dried out in the cold weather, the shaped stayed.