11/17/20 from 2:30-3:30
Sit spot from beginning of semester Sit spot now!
MY SIT SPOT HAS CHANGED SO MUCH!! From the previous rains we have had, I think all the run off has made is way to the streams because it was flowing like rapids throughout. It was muddy everywhere and the water was very high, there were banks on the sides from where the stream had caused quick erosion and taken away earth. My sit spot was currently under water and the rock beds went from 10 feet to 2 feet. The water itself was at least 1 to 2 feet deep and all the big rocks that I always saw protruding out were completely submerged. The water had taken over a lot of the banks and beds so it was hard to walk around with out going through some form of deep mud or water.
New embankments from rising waters and the stream bed is gone.
It was very brisk and cold. The wind was crazy and it was getting cloudier the longer I was there. From the previous rains we have had, I think all the run off has made is way to the streams because it was flowing like rapids throughout. After all the wind, the plants gave up on trying to hold any of their leaves. Everything was bare now. It was pretty open to the point I could see through where I used to not be able too and almost make out the saplings that had been completely hidden near the cow fields. I also saw A LOT of squirrels. I don’t know why there were so many but I haven’t see one this entire time and now it was like a family reunion was happening. There were a lot of crows and some smaller birds flying around (I don’t know bird species at all so they are called by their size 90% of the time). They all seemed to be collecting and eating nuts and wood, probably with bugs or eggs on it, and taking it away with them. A lot of the birds were collecting sticks. They’re in a frenzy now to get ready for the winter. It’s been so warm lately their instincts have probably gone hay-wired. I’d like to know why the squirrels decided now to make an appearance, or at least a clear appearance to my sit spot. I wondered if it had to do something with the trees being bare? Lastly, I saw the cows when I was heading to my sit spot. However I did not spend a lot of time with them after I tried taking some cute photos and got charged at and had to hurtle my body over the fence….I didn’t think they could move that fast after laying down but I was wrong. I came to find out she was a protective mama and her baby, which I accidentally mistook as a pile of poop, had been laying very close to me when I was bending down trying to take cute pictures of the cows. So yea, I ran through there fast coming back with absolutely no eye contact towards the angry mama. I am not fast or coordinated so I understood my chances in being pummeled were HIGH.
Angry mama. Angry mama with “pile of poop” a.k.a her baby.
Well, my one den across the stream was under water so I hope nothing was in there. I didn’t even attempt to cross and fully check on it because again, I am not coordinated enough to walk through fast moving water on slippery rocks. My other den was filled with sticks and leaves, but was very wet and muddy so I think it had gotten flooded in as well. All my vegetation is very dead and gone or had been wiped out by the rising water. The dens haven’t changed too much, there was more activity with them in the middle of this semester when it was slowly turning to the beginning of fall but that is about it. The vegetation changed a lot-going from summer blooming, to fall colorings, and now completely wilted and bare. It was really nice watching the vegetation change, the colors were beautiful to see. The vegetation changed how I expected but I was expecting more from the dens but oh well, maybe they’ll be used next season!
Den on my sit spot side from beginning of semester. Den now (completely filled with debris)
Den now (under water)
Den on the other other side of the stream from the beginning of semester.
This experience was really fun and interesting to partake in. I enjoyed being able to leave campus and fully have the ability to actually take a step away from everything (more like 2 miles worth of steps away). I have always loved being outdoors and hiking-pretty much just sitting and watching things go about outside. The main thing I pulled away from doing this was that I am not planning to stop going on hikes and doing photography of nature. I loved being able to explore and take pictures because that is such a large thing I use to destress. I wouldn’t change anything from this experience except for coming in the dark, that was very scary but I am also a big baby still about it. I would have loved to see something living in one of the dens and gotten pictures of it but other then that, I can not think of anything that could have made the experience any better! I will definitely remember the bugs I found at my sit spot! Learning about the Georgia Robber Flies and the Wheel Bugs were so cool and loved being able to watch them and later finding out the power they had. Discovering the species was my favorite thing about the sit spot other then the overall observation of the beautiful area.
That was a very scary encounter! Im so glad that you were safe. It is amazing to see how different your sit spot has become because of all of the rain. Water has a huge impact on the land and your findings really supported that.
Wow! It is so amazing to see the change in a stream/river. How the stream/river can just wash away anything even if it was been there for weeks or just days. Love the picture of the mama cow and her baby! Surprised you were able to get a close up in the beginning of the semester! Beautiful sit spot and journal entry!
It’s so neat to see how much your spot has changed! I really liked your pictures and how you can really see how the colors have changed since the first sit spot. I love the cow pictures, even though you had a scary encounter with the mom! I’m surprised she let you get that close to begin with!