My Sit-Spot

Rebekah’s Private Cove: Sit-Spot #4

I am sure I tend to repeat this often in many of my blog posts, but I am going to say it again: So much has changed since the last time I have visited my sit-spot! With the changing of the seasons, it is finally evident that fall has begun, and although I love my warm weather, nothing beats being outside while colorful leaves are falling. In this blog, I am excited to share with you the changing characteristics of my sit-spot.

During the late morning on October 23rd, I decided it would be the perfect time to visit my sit-spot. It was a quarter until 11 am, and I was curious to go at a time I had never been to before to observe. I believe up to this point I had tended to seek out my sit-spot in the afternoons when I had more free time, but with not having classes on this particular day, I wanted to switch it up. Although it was still during the daytime like my other sit-spots had been, I felt as if connecting with nature would be the best way to start off my day. During this time, not only did I reflect on the ever-changing features of my sit-spot, I also felt more at peace and focused. At noon, I left my sit-spot and felt energized to proceed with the rest of my day!

On this particular day, the weather was absolutely perfect. It was not too hot or cold; it was the temperature that words could almost not explain. Pleasant, refreshing, and agreeable, those are the three best words that described the air. When looking at the sky, it was a bright, clear blue with the occasional cloud passing by. These clouds were “thin”, and barely stopped the sun rays from passing through. In a way, it was like a foggy sunlight. Also, I observed a single minnow swimming in Carvin’s Creek, which I noted briefly in my journal because I had not observed and written about this species before. This was especially interesting because the minnow was alone, rather than traveling in a small group like it typically does. I saw it briefly dart into an eddy, and then up to the next closest riffle where I then lost track of it. Like before, I observed waterbugs, but was amazed at how few I saw! Usually, I spot at least a dozen within a minute or so of close observation, but during this sit-spot I only noticed 3 or 4 throughout the duration! Not only this, there was only one water bug per a small area, and I realized the bugs did not come into contact with each other. Overall, these water striders had the same activity across the water in comparison to the time before, but there was definitely a decrease in the amount of species in my area. 

 

It has been truly fun to watch how my three objects have changed throughout the semester, and I cannot wait to compare them from the beginning of the semester.

Decayed Log

Roots with Moss

First, I observed the decayed log and its rate of decline. From the rain, there is an influx of debris against the right side of the log, composed of leaves and large sticks and branches.

Lots of Debris!

I wonder if it will wash away or continue to pile up once the rain returns! The middle of the log where it is bowing is a darker brown compared to the rest of the log, which where the bark has chipped away is a tannish-yellow. Moss continues to grow on the log closer to the west side of the bank. As for the suspended roots with moss and mushrooms, it seems to now be only the roots with moss! Previously, I mentioned that the mushrooms had left shadows on the trunk of the tree, but now even those have faded. Without my beforehand knowledge of the mushrooms, I would have never even guessed they were there.

Ash Tree

At the current time, I am unsure of whether or not the moss is growing, and would have to compare it to previous visits. However, the moss continues to be a variety of greens. Lastly, I closely examined the ash tree and determined it to have no large differences. There are sprouts of branches that still cling to their thin green leaves, but others have already turned brown and lost their leaves.

 

 

 

In all, I thoroughly enjoyed visiting my sit-spot in the late morning. This new experience helped me realize that waking up a little bit earlier made all the difference into how my mindset was; I felt more ready and optimistic for the day. Although my mind tells me I will be too tired if I wake up earlier, I need to overcome my mental block and realize using this time to sit in nature can only help me prepare for the day. I hope to visit my sit-spot again in the morning again soon, and will perhaps do my fifth sit-spot during the sunrise hours if it is not too cold. Until next time!