Notebook #6

Today, the sky was a very bright blue, and there was no wind again. It was strange, though, I saw quite a few more animals than I did the last field study visit. Today is November 29th, and I went for my sixth notebook entry at 11:45. The temperature was about 40º, but it wasn't too bad seeing as there was no wind again. There was a lack of clouds, so the sky looked extremely blue, which looked very pretty through the now empty trees. The length of day today is supposed to be 9 hours and 18 minutes. When I was trying to look for more animals, I noticed that even though it was relatively cold and still, I couldn't smell anything distinct. It no longer smells like "fall", though. I suppose winter has to come eventually, it has already snowed. I happened upon a group of bluejays on the ground, though they weren't making any noise. I could hear and sometimes see a squirrel or two run across the leaves, as if it were still early autumn. I was surprised to see so many animals and yet so little plant life. The trees have lost almost all of their leaves completely and there is a thick layer of dead leaves on the ground. It's been hard trying to walk quietly, but I enjoy walking alone and thinking about all of the living things we so often miss everyday even though they are right in front of our eyes.

6 Pictures

Notebook #5

Today, on the 11th of November, I made my fifth field study at 5:30 PM. The temperature was around 55º and there wasn't a cloud in sight. Every once in a while, the wind would come by for a second or two, but it was very quiet. The sun started setting soon after I arrived, so I the pictures were mostly of the silhouetted trees. The trees barely had any leaves left on them, but there still seemed to be leaves falling all the time. However, this time, all the leaves were brown and shriveled, even the ones still on the trees. Because it was so quiet and any rustle of the leaves covering the ground caught my attention, I noticed about two or three black squirrels scampering along the ground or up a tree. I did hear a chirp or two from some birds, but nothing long or very loud. The air smelled clean and crisp, like a storm was brewing. The length of day was very close to 10 hours, and the sun was setting through the trees at around 6:10, though it didn't actually go down until 6:30. Even though it was 55º and dropping, I didn't feel cold wearing just a sweatshirt and jeans. I think it was probably because it wasn't windy so the heat stayed close to my body. All the small plants that would grow at the bottom of the trees on the ground were either all covered by leaves or had died, so it seemed like everything had thinned out and it was very easy to see straight through. I'm pretty sure that by my next couple of field studies there will be snow, but you can never be very sure with Michigan weather.

Notebook #4

Today is the 29th of October. I went to do my notebook observations at around 4:15 and it was the quite chilly at 48º, so I bundled up. The length of day today is 10 hours and 24 minutes, so I'm glad daylight savings is coming up. Today, I noticed that there weren't really any birds or squirrels like there usually are. It seemed quiet except for the wind constantly blowing through empty trees. Most of the leaves have fallen, but some trees are topped with orange or browning reds. When I looked at the ground I could see an array of color; green, orange, red, brown, and everything in between. It was a little wet today because of the raining earlier, but not too wet. The air smelled like Halloween just around the corner, and it felt good. Not because it's getting colder, but because I feel like I'm ready. I've assumed that most of the animals have either migrated by now or are hibernating. I hope that this winter isn't too awful, and that fall can last just a bit longer.

Notebook #3

Yesterday, on October 12th (Sunday), I went down to the end of my street to get information for this 3rd notebook. It was around 3 o'clock, and a temperature of 59º. I was wearing a long-sleeve shirt and wasn't too cold, but winter is just around the corner. It was relatively windy and cloudy, but it felt like a good fall day. The length of day was only around 11 hours and 15 minutes. The days are sadly getting shorter. While in the midst of the changing world at the end of my street, I notices how much had changed. Lot's of leaves were turning yellow, or sometimes red, and there were always leaves falling, floating through the air. I didn't notice as many animals, but I did hear a bird's warble for a minute or two. I think most of the birds will be leaving or have already left soon, to migrate. There was a sound of squirrels preparing for winter with their nuts, and the wind blowing loudly through the leaves. 

Notebook #2

Today is September 30, and I have just done my second field study notebook at 3:40. The temperature was a perfect autumn 63º, not to cold, but no longer summer. There wasn't much of a breeze, but there wasn't a cloud in the sky. The sun was peeking through trees and leaves, making beautiful shadows and silhouettes on the ground. The length of day today is approximately 11 hours and 40 minutes. While trying to make as little sound as possible to not disturb the peace of nature, I happened to hear and then see a small bird hopping softly along the ground. It flew away, but then I noticed a squirrel scampering up a tree, pausing midway to twitch it's black tail. These days, the air smells of fall, like tree bark and warm but chilly feeling. I could hear birds chirping happily and the stillness of the air coursing through my lungs.

Notebook #1

Today is the 14th of September and it is 5 o'clock this evening. This is my first notebook post on my area of land my first time recording my observations.

The temperature is 71ºF and it is currently cloudy with slight wind every now and again. It's been humid all week. The length of day is estimated to be about 12 hours and 40 minutes. In my area of land, it's mostly just woods and then there's a small opening where there's a hill of sand. There aren't many large animals because it's just a small patch of woods in the middle of the city, but there are squirrels and birds and quiet. I like being out there because it always seems calm and quiet even if right behind a suburb. It's a good place for thinking or just to get away, and I have gone there many times before. There are always leaves on the paths and everything smells fresh. Nothing is tamed, nothing is killed. Everything there grows as it wants and it's beautiful. There are plenty of trees and many of them good for climbing. There are also tons of plants covering the ground so you can't scarcely make it out. Most of the plants have thorns, but a few trees here and there blossom in the spring and summer, if you look carefully enough you can see hints of white and red.

I think I'll  very much enjoy doing this project.