Hey Guys,
Even though it is a bit cooler today, Spring is on its way. All kinds of changes occur with the coming of spring. Changes in vegetation, and insects and birds (as well as weather). So, please return to your sit spots and write about some changes that you notice. Spring changes can be large or small, so keep your eyes open, listen for different animal life and sniff out new spring smells.
With the cold rain that's pouring down today, it's difficult to picture spring. However at my sit spot, it's becoming slightly more evident. The cold rain meant that the only animals out were squirrels that looked quite miserable. The evergreen trees are pretty static. The deciduous trees are beginning to put out leaf buds. Around much of Athens, things are beginning to bloom and bud. It seems like the trees where I live are slightly behind. They only just have started to bud. Hopefully more warm weather will come along to speed up spring.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of new things going on near my sit spot. The last time I was there, I noticed tiny buds on the tree which shades my yard. This time, the buds had turned into leaves, lots of them! The tree is still pretty sparse looking, and it’s still mostly naked, but there are lots more buds just getting ready to turn into leaves. The weather today is pretty dreary since it’s been raining on and off all day, and the ground is soaked from all the rain we’ve gotten recently, but I suppose that is a sign of spring too. I watched a robin building a nest near me. She didn’t notice me so I was able to watch her for a good bit of time before finally getting spooked by something. I didn’t notice any smells, either because it’s been raining, or because allergies have impeded my sense of smell. Obviously there is an abundance of pollen in the air because my nose and eyes haven’t stopped itching in a couple of weeks. A couple of squirrels busily gathered something from beneath a tree across my yard. I couldn’t get close enough to see if it was acorns or leaves they were gathering so it’s possible they too were building nests. I’m excited to see what my sit spot will look like in another couple of weeks once it really starts to warm up!
ReplyDeleteAs Sam said it is a bit cold today and a bit wet. However I can see signs of the coming warm weather everywhere. For starters everything is greener. I can hear the sounds of nature all around me, there are birds bouncing around on the ground in front of me. I can see the beginnings of new life all around. Like I said everything is greener but also I can see buds popping up on a lot of the hardwoods across the street from my spot. One of the main things that I have noticed is the days are getting longer and warmer. The air seems fresher also, like the trees are working harder. There is a major change in the air, which is exciting. One of the perks to living where we do, we get four (usually) distinct seasons. Though I would say that this winter wasn’t harsh it is still nice to look forward to the warm air of spring.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little damp at the sit spot today. The weather is overcast and a bit chilly. The sounds of birds fill the air. A slight breeze gently rocks the tree limbs and bamboo. I notice a a patch of red berries stemming from a small bush. I would suspect that it is some species of holly. A large tree has produced purplish flowers. I can't identify it. The flowers are kind of odd and stringy? They have a slight scent. Most of the pine trees that line my backyard have been overtaken by vines, but they are producing cones and pollen above the canopy. Another smaller tree has produced small pink flowers. Many have fallen, blanketing a portion of the walkway. I spied a red bird, a female I think, because I believe males' colors are more flamboyant. A few squirrels scamper here and there, but most may be trying to stay warm and dry.
ReplyDeleteSo everything was a bit damp today, but luckily it wasn't raining when I went to my sit spot. The first thing I noticed was that the area was much greener than the last time I was there. This is a sure sign of spring. Also o could see some leaves beginning to bud on the trees. I could also see some small wildflowers among the grass. I think they were violets. Probably the biggest indicator of spring to me was that my allergies were acting op. My guess is that is due to the increased pollen in the air, especially after a rainstorm. Last time I was at the sit spot I did not really hear any animals. This time when I was there I heard lots of birds, another sure sign of spring. As I see the area changing with the season I. Can tell that it is going to be a very nice place to sot in he next few months as the weather gets warmer.
ReplyDeleteSpring seems to be coming slowly to my sit spot. Most of the trees are still bare with hardly discernable leaf buds and the grass is still patchy and brown. The weeds (or other non-bermuda grasses that the landscaper didn't intend to be there) seem to be what are most enjoying this weather. All around the borders of my clearing there is one particular plant thriving. When it first started coming up earlier in the year I though it was just a grass, but now the blades are so thick and they way that the are growing sort of fanned out in parallel (sorry, not very precise...) that they now remind me more of lilies that we used to plant in our front yard. One of them seems to have encountered some sort of predator as its leaves were chewed back.
ReplyDeleteOn a more spring-like front, one of the small tree/bushes that I noticed budding last time has fully put out new leaves and another small ornamental tree behind it is covered in tiny fuchsia buds, one or two of which have bloomed.
The most notable thing I saw about my sit spot wasn't necessarily spring-related I don't think, although it may have something to do with all of the rain we have been getting. On the far side of my clearing there are some conifers which I think are a variety of cedar, but today they were riddled with some kind of fungus. I'm not a botanist, but it looks like a pretty severe parasitic infestation to me. I first noticed a large bunch of bright orange that from a distance looked like someone had stuck some flower in the tree, but on closer examination the entire tree, and the two next to it, were covered with patches of orange ranging from small clumps on the leaves to feet of fungal bloom on the lower branches. Even more strange was what was happening to the cones, which looked more like a strange alien chrysanthemum (http://imgur.com/2KpkfV8). As of now the trees don't seem to be much affected (no brown patches), but I can't imagine this is good for them...
Ok, just did some more intensive googling and it seems it is something called cedar-apple rust
DeleteSpring is almost here at my sit spot. Flowers are beginning to bloom all over the garden, including an arrangement of daffodils that have all bloomed. The camellias and magnolias that were budding and in bloom a couple of weeks ago still have buds and blooms, but many flowers have already fallen on the ground. As far as fauna, I saw two red-breasted robins--a sign of spring! I also caught a squirrel collecting dry leaves from a tall white oak, and scampering off with them in its mouth. I wonder what it's doing with them. Since it has rained pretty heavily in the past few days, the grass was sopping wet, but there were a couple of patches that have definitely regained their life, sporting tufts of green grass. The rose bushes have new leaves, and the bluebells have flowered. The azaleas are just beginning to bud; these will bloom a little later, but I'm excited to see them in their full-color glory. It's the first time no one has walked by my sit spot while I've been observing, but I credit that due to the rainy, cold weather. I have no doubt it will become a favorite spot for people to spend time when it's a pretty day.
ReplyDeleteBUD BURST.
ReplyDeleteA tree in my back yard looks like it's covered in dense cotton balls, until you get closer and see that they are just little white flowers, still on their way to full bloom. Some have opened all the way, flimsy little white flowers with minuscule red anthers. Another is scrawny, without leaves by with a layer of purple flowers sprouting right off the secondary branches. I can smell a sweet olive bush, but the rain seems to have washed out most scents in the air.
I am trying to count bird calls, and I think I'm hearing at least 10 distinct ones. And one really weird one... oh wait, my neighbors broken generator.
Very few of the taller trees have fledge out into green, but the smaller shrubs have put out leaves, and a carpet of little weeds are poking through the old leaves from this fall, along the edge of the yard. This new growth is such a bright green!
As always, Milledge roars about 20 meters behind me, kinda ruining everything.
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ReplyDeleteI waited until the rain stopped to head out to my sit spot, and as far as signs of spring I think it was a good idea. Squirrels were out scampering around the area, bugs were crawling around on the ground, and birds were calling everywhere. I don't know how many different types there were, but it had to be at least 6 or 7 with hundreds of birds nearby. Most of the trees near my sit spot haven't shown too many signs of spring yet except for a few tiny buds forming on the ends of the branches. Most of the trees and bushes around me are evergreen, but there are a few deciduous plants beginning to show signs of life. The grasses nearby are clearly starting to green up with splashes of green thrown into the sea of brown that dominated just a couple of weeks ago. Spring is coming on fast, I'm sure my sit spot will be a very different place in a week or two when the weather warms back up and speeds the process along.
ReplyDeleteI just got released from a mindfulness meditation retreat and it was perfect to then come back to my house and sit, mindfully, outside and take it all in. My energy was prim for this. I notice a LOT more bird sounds. They seem to be more active. My goodness the growth. With all the rain we've had and some warm weather to push things along my tulips are up and the little flower heads are green but days away from coloring and opening. The daffodils are a steady show. Hyacynth and Ranunculus all popping up. The grass is even ready to be cut as it's got some tall areas. There are more mossy places around the yard too as the rain has been favorable to it's growth. Each day is very exciting to see the changes. Muscarii are on the loose too!
ReplyDeleteI just got back from my sit spot right after it stopped raining. I noticed several new colors have appeared. I've been wondering what all the purple trees i've been seeing are and i discovered they are redbuds, which i should know because i live on a street called redbud road. Also there are many flowering pear trees. There are trees that are yellow, and i was told they are yellow birches. I hear a lot more noise from birds, but i always noticed that birds are loud after rain, so i'm not sure if that has anything to do with the spring. I've been noticing weeds, especially henbit, growing everywhere. Henbit, for a fun fact, is medicinal. So for those of you who are looking for a good diuretic, or need to stop the bleeding in a cut, or even to reduce a fever, henbit is your weed. I was expecting to see more green foliage at this time, but many of the trees in my sit spot are still bare. Also, i'm sitting in front of an azalea bush that has just one flower opened. As for my allergies, they are definitely aware of the season, so i suppose that means there is a lot of pollen, i'm guessing mostly from all the tall grasses i'm sitting around.
ReplyDeleteSitting on the cement this afternoon was a bit cold and damp. I enjoyed listening to the birds again, however, and just observing the new growth that was happening around me. I can see that the smaller trees are starting to bud, some green and some with a purplish or pink hue. I look forward to watching the leaves come out, and seeing the whole area become greener. The turtles (and ants) were not too active today, probably because of the cold. Squirrels were scampering around as usual. The grass and smaller weeds around the small courtyard and in the cracks between the cement squares seem to be getting greener. Overall, it was nice to see progress, signs that Spring is here.
ReplyDeleteThe cold and wet weather definitely dampened the spring feel in my sit spot this week. Other than that, I can see changes all around. The buds are literally about to burst in trees and bushes. My neighbors beautiful hydrangeas have already bloomed and my azaleas also bloomed, hot pink as ever. The squirrels have left holes all over the yard-they have been furiously digging all day. My neighbors back yard is full, and I mean FULL, of robins. There are literally dozens running and digging all over the place. There is an invasive shrub, that looks like a privet, that has taken over all of the ground level of the woods in my back yard. It is by far the greenest thing in the woods. The grass is coming back in a vibrant green, but there are still a few dead brown patches. I can tell that the onions will need to be cut soon. I can tell that it is now only a matter of days before the leaves and flowers will have returned and spring will be in full force.
ReplyDeleteThe strip of grasses has become a marshy mud pit because of the wind and rain. The bermudagrass is still yellow, and there are more spiders in the grass than there have been recently. All the seedlings have been removed by the lawnmowers hired by the landlord. I can’t hear much other than the sound of the road and the neighbors, but I think I’ve been hearing some mice moving along the other side of the fence at night in the yard of the empty house to the north. Most of the green is from the creeping patch of purple deadnettle and other weeds.
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that I heard when walking to my sit spot was the sound of water, and children's laughter. The first thing I noticed were the daffodils. There were so many! I could smell them too! Also in the green grass were clovers, dead nettle, and dandelions. The beds, had the daffodils as well as johnny jump ups. In the distance at some point I heard thunder, luckily it didn't rain while I was there. There are two types of Japanese Maple by my sit spot, one of them is smaller (about my height) and had red leaves that were beginning to sprout and unfurl. The other Japanese Maple is taller, perhaps the size of a dogwood. It had green leaves and red flowers. There were many trees and shrubs that had new leaves on it that hadn't unfurled yet, or hadn't grown to large. It was very relaxing to listen to the children and the water, while smelling the daffodils and taking in the beautiful changing world. Even the thunder sounded poetic.
ReplyDeleteThe air was filled the sound of birds and the pleasant aroma of a spring rain today at my sit spot. A burst of color has entered the scene with an odd and tangled collection of shrubbery with red, pink, and purplish flowers. Azaleas maybe? Trees have flowered. Some red and leafy, others green with bright stringy flowers. I need to figure out this species. I think it may be relatively common. Relatively awesome. Bamboo stands tall and mightily prevalent but not very thick. Green kudzu vines and grasses are flourishing. Overall the scene appears to have experienced a spring awakening. All forms welcomed the rain's arrival.
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