November 28, 2022

11/28/22

I took a walk to and around the Reservoir. It was nice and sunny out with brisker wind by the Res. I was only wearing a light jacket most of the day, but I put on my coat as it felt pretty cold being outside for a long time. I kept hearing bird chirps, but it was hard to find the individuals that match the calls. And even when I did, it was hard to get an up close picture of them, especially as they flew off so easily. I have always seen Canadian Geese at the Res, and occasionally see some swans. I spotted those two on my walk, in addition to some Bryants and Red-breasted Mergansers. Some of the species look so similar from afar, but as I get closer, I can see marked differences and observe different behaviors and locations. I wanted to know what the animals were eating below the surface, but the Res is so wide and my camera wouldn't catch it anyways. I also looked on the other side with all the trees. To my surprise, I spotted a bald eagle. I ran into a birdwatcher who said it showed up a week ago and hasn't left since. He assumed that it likes the view of all the pond food. On my way back, I knew I could find at least one squirrel or bunny. When it was warmer, it would have been easier, but they aren't as easy to find now that it's colder. I luckily spotted a squirrel and another bird. I enjoyed getting out and giving myself a challenge, really having to look for these animals.

Posted on November 28, 2022 08:30 PM by b-ande b-ande | 9 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

October 19, 2022

10/18/22

I walked on the sides of Beacon Street in the late afternoon and explored a bit of the Hammond Pond area. The weather was pretty nice--partially cloudy, chilly, perfect sweatshirt weather. I put on some music and put the beginning of the day behind me so I could just enjoy myself. A bit outside my dorm I found some interesting fungi, so although they didn't apply to the plant part of this assignment, I wanted to take a picture to find out what they were. That's what I found myself doing a lot--uploading pictures of interesting species to just find out what they were. I looked at both plants that stuck out to me and plants that I tend to overlook. I also tried to hit each of the four main groups of plants. The Bryophyta were easy because of moss, and so were the Angiosperms becasue those are the typical flower and berry plants. I was a bit confused between Polypodiopsida and Gymnosperms. I found spruces, and since they have outwards seeds, they fit into the gymnosperm category. I don't think I was able to find any polypodiopsida. I was looking for ferns, or visible seedless vascular plants, but couldn't find any. I liked that I was looking at more than the typical "pretty" plants, because even the camoflauged green plants all have their own unique touches.

Posted on October 19, 2022 12:08 AM by b-ande b-ande | 16 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

October 3, 2022

10/3/22

I wandered around the Hammond Pond Reservation and took observations on my way there and while there. The weather was pretty cold, so although I could've done without a coat, I knew a coat would make me more comfortable as I would be out there for at least an hour total there and back. It was overcast, but there was lots of white light. I started mainly looking for fungi around trees, as that's where I got the most luck. I wasn't sure how much I'd find, so I was searching pretty hard. So hard that I almost mistook some acorns, rocks, and even animal feces for fungi--but I realized the difference quickly enough. I really wasn't familiar with most of the organisms I saw, and was actually surprised that some were fungi, such as the Grey Coral fungus. I thought it was just a cool looking pile of leaves, so I am glad I found that out. I liked learning that fungi take so many shapes, sizes, and looks that they are not all your stereotypical thought of a mushroom look. I veered off the paved path a few times, but mostly stuck to it as I wasn't wearing the best shoes for a nature walk. I also got worried that I would step on an organism off of the path because a lot of the fungi I saw were very small, so small and camouflaged that I only found them because I was looking so hard. I felt so great just walking around that I wanted to stay out there all day, but I of course had to return to get some work done. But now I know I have a nice place nearby to go on walks and see a diverse and beautiful landscape.

Posted on October 3, 2022 06:42 PM by b-ande b-ande | 12 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

September 29, 2022

9/29/22

I walked for about 40 minutes around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. It was a nice morning for a walk--it was perfect light jacket weather. It was sunny, slightly chilly, and the air was very crisp. I walk around here a lot, but usually I don't look at all the surrounding biodiversity. I took a lot of pictures in the beginning, but then I started spacing them out and really focusing on what stuck out to me. I didn't know what a lot of the organisms were, but I tried my best to match them with the suggestions. I loved seeing some of the plants starting to change color with the seasons. I tried thinking of which plants might be the same species, but they are just different colors because they change at different periods of time. I personally got most excited when I saw a turtle in the water! I like taking balanced walks where some of the time I look at the nature around me but some of the time I just forget about all of my surroundings.

Posted on September 29, 2022 03:27 PM by b-ande b-ande | 13 observations | 0 comments | Leave a comment

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