Tyler Starr
28 September 2008 from 0735 to 0800
Location: The Quad and the Mill Stream between Rogers and the library
Weather: 54 ̊ F, no wind, no clouds, sun just above the horizon, so not terribly strong
General: I was up early to see the sunrise with some friends, so I decided while I was out I might as well observe nature at such a quiet time. On the way from Belknap to the Quad, I saw a large rodent on the North bank of the Mill Stream, around the bushes near the main bridge to Jackson Plaza. I saw it as I rounded Rogers, coming from the east, but I did not get very close to it before it ran and hid in the bushes. It looked like it was brown, and about 2 feet long. It reminded me of a muskrat, like back home in Minnesota, but I have heard that nutria frequent the Mill Stream, so it is possible that is what I saw. I wish I could have gotten closer, but it was very interesting to see. I arrived at the Quad and sat in the middle. The sun was just beginning to emerge from behind Smullin. I counted 5 squirrels in and around the Quad, foraging for food. Two mallard ducks flew over my head toward the east. There were also 4 crows atop Smith Auditorium. It was so peaceful at that time in the morning. The only sounds were those of birds, most noticeably the crows. A friend I was with took pictures, so I will add those if I ever get them. I definitely recommend going out on the Quad to watch a sunrise.
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