Sat at sit-spot: 4:30 p.m.

Journal entry: 5: 00 p.m.

Temperature: 14⁰C                                                                         Date: 11/02/19

Humidity: 31%

As I was walking to my sit-spot I first notice how considerably colder it was and how the ground was now covered by the dead leaves. It was really loud when I walked stepping on many dead leaves on my way.  When I got closer, I heard the trickling of water and thought that it was odd. I then saw that my stream was back and full. I immediately walked to the stone I usually sit on ready to observe my living creatures in the water, but I found out there were no water striders, no other invertebrates in; it’s just clear water flowing by. Initially though I found it hard to sit at my regular spot because the group was muddy near the water and I didn’t know where to land my feet. I finally rested my feet on the rock below me though and started my usual observation.  In my 15 minutes of observation I notice how most trees were now leafless.  The one to the west (in front of me) but slightly to the left, was entirely yellow. I found the that fascinating. The other thing I noticed is the numerous branches broken and lying on the ground probably due to the windy night before, which was quite scary as I experienced some of it. The orange flower that had attracted bees and birds is now completely gone too, another environmental change forcing the birds and bees to look for new territories.

While I sat observing I almost missed the tree on my left which had all its leaves dead but still hanging on to the tress/branches.

I went back to observing my stream still wondering if there are maybe insects under the rocks or would it be too soon for them. As I looked on, I notice this greenish yellow spiky plant at the bottom of the stream. I almost missed it too. It looked alien and I’ve never seen anything like it. I got back and googled it to find out what it was. According to google it is either a Sparganium americanum or American sweetgum (Liuidamnar styraciflua). I couldn’t narrow it down because they both look similar. I stood up and got closer to get a better look but still didn’t recognize its source.  As I tried to sit, I saw the same plant dried and dead on a rock to my left.  Maybe I missed the tree that was responsible for it.

My tree was surprisingly the same. It didn’t change color, nor did it lose anymore leaves but then again, it’s deciduous so it wouldn’t change like the other trees. Of course, it has lost some of its leaves at the bottom, like I mentioned last time but the ones on top are still there. My other object of focus, the cut tree trunk hasn’t changed much either except for the fact that there are no insects circling in its empty spaces and somehow, I feel like the empty spaces kind of got wider. My third object of focus, the pine cone was gone. I tried to look for it in the stream further ahead thinking it could have moved but still could not find it. I then decided on another object to be my focus for the remainder of my sit-spot- the tree with the dead leaves still hanging on. I will follow it closely and note the changes.

I closed my eyes for the next 5 minutes and tuned into my surrounding. The first thing I heard was the sound of the trickling stream. It was very relaxing. Then I soon heard the rustling of leaves as the wind blew by. I imagined the leaves falling as the trees swayed along the wind. I then soon heard the airplane flying overhead and imagined what the people’s view must be like.  After it got quiet, I heard the sound of a single bird to the south (left with me). Bird sounds are now completely gone, even more than the last time, so it was interesting to hear this one. Suddenly I heard a sound on my right, a loud rustling sound and opened my eyes to find out what it was. At first, I couldn’t see anything but then notice a squirrel moving along the fallen leaves searching for food. After a while it moved away.

For the next 10 minutes, I went back to observing the stream, still excited about its presence. I was still death set on spotting something but all that kept flowing was clear water. But then there were bubbles forming on the surface. I wondered first where the bubbles came from and the foams floating in tiny bundles everywhere almost as if the water was soapy. Then I notice the bubbles were probably from the riffles along the stream as the water clashed against rocks. I found it amazing how it was clean enough to see all the way through the bottom. I would like to know if this stream will dry up again or if it would freeze over the winter. Only time will tell.

There had been so many changes I saw in my sit spot, one of the major changes of course being the stream. I notice the plant to my right was completely dead and the tree to my south west had very few brownish red leaves left. Another dramatic change I notice was the lack of all insects. There were no mosquitoes, not a single one, to annoy me and no spiders running away from my movements as well as no ants on the ground or rocks.  Although all the branches on the other side of the stream where standing upright last time I was there, they now were completely knocked over probably by the wind; it must have been powerful. I had a lot to see and write about this time with all the changes that had happened and I’m glad.

My sit-spot has grown on me. It has been my relaxing and quiet spot where I can silence my thoughts and focus on the beautiful nature around me. It has helped me improve dramatically on my ability to notice things and give attention to details. I was tempted to stay longer but the weather was getting cold. I’m really excited about the other changes that I’m about to observe but at the same time worried about the temperature and how that could make it difficult for me to go to my sit-spot since it’s only going to get colder.

Time I left sit-spot: 5:40 p.m.