The circle of life

Throughout the semester, I have become connected to my place at Oak Ledge in more ways than I imagined. I came in February expected to find a place that I would go to every once in a while, take a few notes, and go on my merry way. What I didn't expect, however, was to feel connected to this place in a way that I actually felt like a part of the place.

Oak Ledge is like a system in so many ways. Everything about the place works together in constant harmony. Without one part of the puzzle, it would be incomplete. The trees rely on the ground, the ground relies on the lake, the lake relies on the birds, the birds rely on the trees. All of this alone is cool, but together, a masterpiece is created. Even more exciting is the fact that I am a part of this system. While all parts of nature rely on each other, I rely on them as well. Without this system, I couldn't survive. I need the trees and the birds and the water and the ground.

I like the think in some ways, nature needs me too. It needs me to be both a steward and enjoyer of the land. As the landscape has changed over time, I have changed right along with it. As the snow sheds from the rocks and melts back into the water, I shed off my own layers of jackets and hats. It has been so eye-opening to participate in the changes throughout the semester. I can't wait to go back to my spot and visit, to see how it (and I) have changed.

April showers bring May buds!

I could barely get to my spot this week because of all the water! I trudged through the puddles and mud to find my spot completely submerged. The rocks I usually sit on were underwater. I walked around a little and tried to spot the buds on the trees! I definitely found some, which was cool to see the transformation from when I looked at the trees earlier in the semester until now. I forgot my camera so I couldn't take any photos, but I found some pictures on the wondrous internet to help visualize what I saw! 

I found a red maple and the buds were swelling! They weren't as red as this yet, but here is the general idea of what it looked like.

The Cedar trees also had some buds on them. 

The American Elm buds were starting to sprout. 

The red pine and white pine didn't have buds, but they had the start of what I assume will eventually be pinecones! It is very cool to see this transformation over time. I will miss going to my spot when the semester ends, but I know I'll still visit every once in a while!

:-)