Whitney’s Blog 1 – 9/15/19, 3:55 -7:56 PM

 

The day was sunny and about 85 degrees. I wanted to pick a spot that wasn’t directly on campus. Although there were many areas that I could’ve used on campus; I figured most of them were probably taken, but I also enjoy nature, so I didn’t mind searching a little. I made sure it wasn’t too far because I wanted to be certain that I would have access to it in the future. I walked about half a mile out from campus and along a path until I found a spot that felt right. There were many trees, insects, and seemed like a good location to see wildlife. I contemplated many locations before I got to my official one. In most of the spots, there were too many shrubs and/or too much foot traffic. I wanted to be sure that I could find an area with multiple things that I can focus on throughout the semester; such as leaves, fungi on trees, and wildlife.

 

Once I picked my spot, I looked around to be sure that I wanted this location. I looked around at all the trees and plants then thought to myself how this would be a perfect spot to see deer passing through. As I started to sit down I hear a rustle in the leaves and I stand very still. I come to the realization that I’m staring at a deer! With about 30 feet of distance, the doe and I studied each other for a short five minutes. Not knowing what she was looking at, she kept putting her head down then then looking at me. She would shake her tail and looking at me. She repeated this a number of times before she decided that there was nothing to be scared of. I finally sat down which frightened her, she ran off.  Once I sat down, facing NW so that I’d be looking into the woods in the area where I saw the deer. I immediately noticed the tree with heart shaped leaves, I quickly began to draw it.

I still have not been able to find the species of the tree, I will have to examine it more next time I go to my sit spot. Another thing I noticed was how much the sycamore leaves has changed since last week when I picked them off the tree. Sitting in my spot, I had ants crawling on me and there was even a tick on the person I brought along! I was surrounded by tall dead grass and piled on rocks to my left. The one thing that I’m excited to watch is also the tiny ash tree that appeared healthy and stands about 6 foot tall. A lot of its leave appear

ed to have been eaten on by tiny insects. The last animal I want to mention are the big dragonflies that were chasing each other the whole time I was sitting in my spot. Both were blue and moved very fast as they circulated around one another.

 

Overall, I felt it was the perfect day to do the sit spot. I even stopped and pet a couple horses on the way! I was really focused and tuned in to the sounds of the crickets and the birds as they sang their songs. I was very alert in the beginning, being in a new territory. I eventually became comfortable. I grew up playing in the woods every day, so it felt very nice to be in nature and it being my sole focus. I definitely know to be more prepared and know more of what I should be in tune to next time I come to this spot.

 

For my 3 things, I decided that I would do the 1) the small ash tree 2) the pine tree, and 3) the goldenrods that sit directly in front of me. I picked two trees because I find trees very interesting and their leaves and needles change. I picked the goldenrod because I think its pretty and would be fun to watch change over time.