Observation 1

Leo Castillo
6 September 2008
6:30pm-7:00pm
Weather: 80 Degrees
Florence, OR the temperature is cool about 78-80 degrees. While on a twenty minute run, my group stumbled on a Banana slug. I have never see a slug this big and neat looking thing. As I got done with my run I went back and did some observations on it. The size of this slug is about the size of your hand. This one looked like an older slug, later that day I saw another one, which could only mean two things. This slug was yellowish color one it was a female or a younger male slug. Who knows? Back to this slug on its head there are two antennas and there is a lump of tissue about a quarter of the way back. Looking back there are black spots, the majority of it is yellow. I guess you can find this Banana slug in the cost because that’s wear we stayed.
( I can't get the picture to appear )

Following the Bees

Observer: David P. Craig
Location: Willamette University, between Collins and Olin Science Buildings
Date: 12 September 2008
Time: 1100-1115 hours
Weather: Warm, sunny, and clear

Walking between the science buildings I noticed that the honey bees were less conspicuous today than they were two weeks ago. The nest is at the top of the column on the left or north side of the column behind the small pond. I have noticed the bees drinking at the edge of the pond before, but today I watched as bees flew in a fairly clear line to the row of bushes just around the corner of from their nest. An neighbor gave me a couple of these shrubs which I recognize from the leaves, but I don't know what they are today. They have a nice general floral scent and clearly some nectar given the interest of the bees. I imagine they are working quickly to build honey reserves for the fall and early spring. Bees have nested in this column for at least 3 years (2006 - 2008), but have never been a problem for people as far as I know.

Observer: David P. Craig
Date: 12 September 2008
Location: Carnegie Building, Willamette University
Time: 1500-1515 hours
Weather: sunny and clear, close to 80 F

Today Willamette University dedicated the remodelling of the Carnegie Building's new function as a community law center with a plaque and visit from Ruth Bader Ginsburg. This building has had many functions since its construction (1912 I believe) and a variety of landscaping features. Today the great Burr Oak on the east side is the most dominating feature. I did a quick set of documentary photos of the plants there today with the aim of doing more in the next week and trying to match perspective with some of the photos inside the foyer. This set of photos is a collage of top row: the building's south side with red maple saplings, the great burr oak on the east side, a burr oak leaf fallen onto new sod; middle row: some lily relative (brodea?) fading in bloom and setting fruit, a bed of Japanese maple and perennials, a spruce or alpine fir with red flag reflected in the window; bottom row: the building's front looking east, historical photo when the building was a library, and today's commemorative marker.

Squirrels: 11 September 2008

Rose Dickson

11 September 2008

1821 – 1845 hours

Forty yards from Montag Center on Willamette University campus, Salem, OR, USA

79 degrees, partly cloudy

            Sitting with my back upon the Matthews dormitory pillar, I realize I am the minority. I sit in awe of my companions, no students, teachers or Willamette University residents in site. I am in the new found company of a band of 8 squirrels. Each squirrel is together in alertness, yet each doing completely his/her own task. The Squirrels taking on squirrelly, scavenging and restless, tasks; tasks probable to change at any moment.

The squirrel farthest to my left has found an acorn. He drops it after a few seconds; only to immediately pick up another. Can Squirrels be picky? As a child I would refuse to eat anything but the yellow M&M’s. Could I share that annoying childish trait with a squirrel? What makes us so different? The squirrels themselves are each different too. One squirrel has a very short tail that is much bushier than the rest. Another squirrel has a long, skinny body and tail, looking almost as if the tail is only just hanging on. I wonder why all the squirrels have come to this tree? There is no squirrel feeder, no exceptional amount of acorns from any other tree. I try to get closer to the squirrels, to see how far they would let me come. Almost instantaneously they all look at me- as if I crossed the line, and they run up the tree to hide. 

Photo Courtesy of Google Images

Collin's Observations

C.Jones
8 September 2008
Just Outside Shepard
1515

I'm sitting on a secluded bench covered in shade by a building. About 3 feet ahead of me is a hedgerow of plants that seem to be withering in the sunlight. The plants are thick together and colored green and brown. I notice a web string on one of the plants to my right, glistening in the sunlight. I see various bugs buzzing between the plants as if trying to stay in the shifting shade. In the background are trucks and cars going by, yet this place seems undisturbed by the ruckus. A fly just landed on my foot and is zooming around the bench. I can hear trees blowing and watch the light on the bushes reflect their movement. For being so close to a street, this place is indeed an urban sanctuary.

C.Jones
9 September 2008
Just outside Shepard
1521

I heard an enormous roar from a truck as I made my way back to the urban sanctuary from yesterday. It is cooler out and the plants look more green. The bench is still covered in shade and I now notice dirt under the plants that I did not the day before. The light still betrays the location of what seems to be a web to my eye, although I'm not sure the bugs flying around notice it. I still see no sign of the spider, though it may be hidden among the swaying leaves. As I look up, I see more small bugs racing just above the leaves, it almost looks as if they are playing chicken. I just saw a rather fast moving bug navigating the natural trenches of the concrete. It resembled an ant. Looking 3 feet to my right I just saw a massive web that was hidden yesterday by the shade. Perhaps this is the spiders true lair, though I have yet to see it.


www.pestproducts.com/images/orb-spider-web.JPG

C. Jones
10 September 2008
Beside the Millstream
2010

The river is slowly winding its way through the middle of the campus as dusk falls. I hear the sounds of people all around and yet I can still clearly hear the crickets giving off a sense of calmness. It's neat to see the sudden drop off from the grass bank to the millstream. Watching the ripples in the water make the reflections of the light dance is fascinating. I notice the top of a broad shaped tree swaying in the wind, rustling its leaves over the millstream. The rocks act like pillars directing the current down.

C.Jones
11 September 2008
Just outside Eaton Hall
1419

I'm sitting on a bench under a swaying tree. The shade gives the dirt around me a cool appearance as it also mingles with twigs and brown leaves. As I look up the sun shines on the top of the branches in the light. I can see the star trees in the distance, wavering in the wind. It almost looks like mist is covering the top half of them. I see a bush that is a vibrant shade of purple with a green undertone next to normal bushes on a corner. It emphasizes the color even more, making it a nice landmark. A tree 20 feet ahead helps conceal a wall of stone, surrounded by more dirt and twigs. It is the shade of the trees that make this a nice spot.

www.psych.ndsu.nodak.edu/.../black%20dirt.JPG

C.Jones
12 September 2008
Millstream
0722

The air is brisk and cool outside and the grass is still frsh with the morning dew. I see at least 20 ducks floating in the stream, being carried down by the current. Now and again, a mallard will duck its head under the water, revealing its white and teal plumage. I see a torrent of white bugs hopping up and down in the air above the stream. The ducks seem to be divided into two groups, one at either end of the stream. The ducks look like floating rocks with their heads under the moving water. I can hear many different bird calls from behind me, and a Canadian goose flying overhead. A detatchment of ducks just swam by me, emitting a series of sharp clicks in quick succession. Perhaps its a signal o get moving. Two ducks just came crashing down in the water as they flew in. Maybe the clicking was more a call to gather than to leave.


www.freefoto.com/.../08/01_08_34---Ducks_web.jpg

More Squirrel Notes

Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 10 September, 2008
Time: 1030-1045
Place: North of the Chicken Fountain on the path between the fountain and Jackson Square.
Weather: Very warm and sunny, 79°F.

I’m walking along the path towards the Chicken Fountain from the library, and on my right I see a flash of gray movement, which I assume is a squirrel. As I draw level to it all I can see is the tail, which is parallel to the tree but out to the side. I begin to stalk it without making any conscious decision to do so, but it’s a good thing the fountain is there because it masks any noise I’m making. Then suddenly I’m looking at a squirrel. It’s not flat against the tree, although from a distance it might look that way. Only the claws are really attached, and the head is sticking out, staring at something that I can’t see, or maybe it’s listening. Its whole body is quivering, and the feet are so tensed that I can almost see the bones of the feet. The tail is closest to me as the squirrel is upside down on the tree, and the hairs on the tail are amazingly long and each one is multicolored with bands of black, gray, and tan. I reach out with one finger and touch the tail, but the squirrel still doesn’t move. Is it so scared that it can’t move, or does it really not care that I’m standing there, or does it not know I’m there? A few seconds later a bicyclist goes past and the squirrel flies off the tree and into a nearby rhododendron. I go back to the path to see if I can continue watching it from there, but it’s gone.

*Photo courtesy of http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ZWvS0dAlwCs/RrQlrhB00_I/AAAAAAAABcI/qYPZjbIl84Q/P1000566.JPG

The Mill Stream

Observer: Eloise Bacher

Date: 9 September, 2008

Place: Mill Stream, under a tree on the opposite side of the bridge from Goudy.

Time: 1005- 1020

Weather: Sunny but with a decent breeze and cool temperatures in the shade.

I'm sitting by the Mill Stream under a tree. I don't know what kind, but it's small and has white papery bark. Maybe a birch? Looking at the stream makes me wonder how it was different years ago. Where now it's shallow, wide, and fairly gentle, was it narrower and faster back when it wasn't confined by walls? What about when it was in the pipes underneath the campus? How does it change between campus and where it goes into the Willamette at Riverfront Park? I see a lot of ducks around, and now there's a crow in the tree above me screaming at something. Maybe me, maybe something else. What kinds of animals were here when the Mill Stream was just going through nature? Crows and ducks, most likely, but what about fish? A lot of animals probably showed up around here because of the water source. Was it the city that drove them away, or the water being put underground? Oh...darn. That crow just pooped on me. Great.

*Photo courtesy of http://salemdailyphoto.com/pics/wu_green.jpg

Springer's Garden Revisited

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 11 September 2008
Time: 1346-1404
Location: Springer's Garden, Willamette University
Weather: Clear, sunny, 86°F

I was in the garden today again hoping for a closer analysis of the oxeye daisies and their large population of honeybees. Intriguingly, most of the flowers that were pollinated were of the aster family, all with ray and disk flowers as common structures. A bushtit flew over the fence toward the Mission Mill as I moved south. Walking closer to the Sparks Center, I discovered a western grey squirrel carrying two fruits or nuts arranged like a dumbbell in its mouth. It was the same tree from where I saw the barn swallow yesterday. It made a hoarse, sharp bark while twirling its tail clockwise. Then, it carefully jumped down the trunk, head down. Looking at the leaves of the tree it was in, they were pinnately lobed, so it must have been an oak tree. Thus, the fruit the squirrel was carrying were probably immature/green acorns. Adjacent to the oak, hawthorns were bearing thei slightly wrinkled, maroon fruits. Two or 3 American Robins were hopping along the ground beneath the undergrowth foraging for food. They appeared fully grown with the characteristic vermillion breast. I also managed to find my slug from yesterday, still in its same position, a few feet higher on the ground, partially covered in damp dirt. I wonder if someone decided to kick it up the steps. All over campus, I can hear the maples dropping their leaves. Vibrantly violet morning glories were climbing a trellis neatly, with their blossoms fully opened. As I wandered back toward the Putnum center, I noticed that my bench was free again! However, there were no signs of my squirrel friends. What I thought was a sequoia might not be. It bears a pale yellow fruit 7/8 inch long and 1/2 inch wide at the base, making it look somewhat like a pistachio or gingko nut.

Botanicals

Observer Name:  Kaitlyn Rice

Date: 11 September 2008

Time: 1703 Hours

Place: Martha Springer Botanical Gardens

Weather:  Sunny and especially hot in the direct sunlight

Today I am not sitting anywhere because the ground is too moist and I am scared of what and/or who I might share the bench with in the back of the garden.  Standing here has made me take a closer look at what lives in front of me though.  In the first group of plants, there is a wide variety.  The first thing to catch my eye is a large spider, just hanging out in the comfort of his web.  The web is spun and suspended from 2-3 foot tall grass.  A bit shorter, but no less interesting, shards from a black grass stick up.  This can’t be native.  Upon a closer inspection, I notice that there are small, black berries dispersed randomly on stems inside the blades of grass.  Next to this grass are several varieties of flowers.  A sign indicating a “Waterlilly” is hidden behind a pink flower.  There are 6 petals, all long and distanced from each other.  In the back of the planter, two thick stems rise.  They are several feet tall, probably over 3, though it is hard to say since I cannot see their origins.  At the top of each stem is a burst of blue—like a firework or a sea anemone. 

Date: 11 September, 2008
Time: 1649
Place: Outside of Kaneko on a concrete bench facing the bridge.
Weather: 88 degrees, HOT!
I notice a strange type of bush-like shrub that I have never seen before. They are lined up perfectly, 5 in a row. They are manicured and planted, mixed with two taller, full leafy trees. The shrubs are comprised of many stalks that start out as 3/8 inch thick stick like material at the bottom and reach up and all over in various directions, eventually transforming into a leathery consistancy that feels waxy to the touch and has oblong leaves that are the size of a pencil eraser. It is maroonish purple in color, but the leaves are a slightly different shade that fades to a white/ beige color in the middle. It is not found in Audubon probably because it was not naturally in place, and maybe uncommon to be found unintentionally in nature. There is a bee buzzing busily from flower to flower on the stereotypical garden flowers of red and white. How do they extract nectar? How far is a bee willing to travel from its hive to find nectar?
Photo courtesy of Google Images.

H.R. Waller
Date: 11 September 2008.
Time: 1055
Place: The Mill Race facing toward the library with Goudy behind me.
Weather: 74 degrees and sunny.

I’m sitting in the shade of a beautiful branching tree, my back leaning against its sturdy trunk. The bark is a clean white color with little patches of brown underneath in places where the white wrapping has come away. It reminds me of a Christmas present all wrapped up that someone has tried to peek at only to find that beneath the paper is a plain cardboard box. The leaves are heart shaped and arranged randomly, but thickly around the branches. This is a pretty tall tree and there are 3 more like it in various spots around the river. To my right, directly opposite the UC is a large bed of various plants and flowers. One type that caught my eye right away were the 4 foot tall red ones whose stems are as thick as a pencil and whose leaves are very skinny and oblong and travel all the way up to the last 6 inches of the stem where the brilliant red buds the shape of bluebells begin and finish off the top. These were obviously planted there deliberately as can be inferred from their neat and ideally situated arrangement. Next to them is a group of similar looking plants that have purple flowers in the place of the red, but rather than having about 10-15 flowers on each stalk, these have 5 slightly larger ones in the more typical 5 petal flower shape. Neither flower is found in Audubon, but the red one resembles a Fireweed, though I know it is not. Across from me on the other bank is a big group of ducks all huddled down appearing to be asleep in the shade. A few are standing up. Can they sleep standing? There is a perfect row of 5 trees almost twice as tall as Smith, the building behind them. The trees look like Western Red Cedars, with huge buttressed trunks and flat, drooping needles providing perfect shade.
Photo courtesy of Google Images.

Hannah: Trees and Gnats

H.R. Waller
Date: 10 September
Time: 1430
Place: The bank of the Mill Race between the library and Rogers music hall on campus.
Weather: Sunny, cloudless. 78 degrees.
There is a small cloud of gnats buzzing wildly around each other in front of me. As I look out on to the river I notice several more of these tiny bugs. However, the majority are not in clusters like this one. Are they looking for food? Do they like the hot weather or are they anxiously awaiting a cooler break? I’m currently seated in the shade of a tall and very “clean” looking tree whose trunk is just big enough that I can’t get my arms around it. The bark is a light reddish brown color with several white spots all over and on the branches as well. It appears as if someone splattered it with bleach. This tree has a plethora of appendages going off in every direction and many leaf clusters with large green leaves that look like maple leaves. This tree looks very confident and at peace with itself compared to some of the smaller and less perfect looking vegetation surrounding it. Also, directly next to it is a small shrub growing up from the ground no more than 1 and a half feet tall. Its branches are spread all over in a messy fashion, and 3 spider webs inhabit its crevasses The leaves are oblong and arranged randomly at the end of each branch. Also there are many brown and dry spots indicting a less healthy life. Is the tree hogging the nutrients? Or is the shrub trying to mooch off the tree?

Huge Spider!! 9/8

H.R. Waller

Date: 8 September, 2008

Time: 1700

Place: The WU Crew boathouse

Weather: 80 degrees, perfect cloudless sunshine.

Journal
Today as I was learning the ropes of Crew I came across a very large, very fat spider. I, being
highly arachnophobic, quickly began to mentally freak out, though I was careful not to make
any sudden movements as I was in a boat and didn’t want to be the one responsible for tipping
us on the first day. The spider was on the dock of the WU boat house, about 2 miles out of town.
Our boat was rested right up next to the dock, and the spider about a foot away from me, my
paddle providing an easy enough route for the spider to my being. I have become slightly more
tolerant of spiders over the years, but this one was so strikingly large and ugly, that I instantly
cringed and tried to push at least my part of the boat as far from the dock as possible without
upending or otherwise disturbing the boat or other teammates. But then I remembered what our
coach had said at the very beginning of practice: “If you’re afraid of spiders, you won’t be when
this is over.” I then realized that I had to come to terms with the fact that a spider is a mere
piece of nature at its best and that I have to accept them if not learn to like them. So I took a
closer glance. The arachnid had a large tear drop shaped abdomen and a smaller head portion of
its body. The color was similar to that of the deck, a pale brownish tan with lighter patches of
beige in little random stripes and patches. Also, the creature has two appendages sticking out of
its face that looked like fangs, making it that much more terrorizing to someone like me. When
looking through my Audubon Field Guide, I came to the conclusion that this spider was likely a
Banded Garden Spider. The book says that their season is summer, which would make sense
for a day like today during which the high was ninety degrees and the sun beating down through
a cloudless sky. Also there is plenty of vegetation surrounding the boat house so it would make
sense that a garden spider would thrive here. I look forward to the day when I can look past the
creepiness of this spider, and appreciate it for its living habits and other characterizing features.
Photo courtesy of Google Images.

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Squirrel in Springer's Garden

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 09 September 2008
Time: 1401-1417
Location: The Quad, Eaton Hall, and Martha Springer’s Garden, Willamette University
Weather: Overcast, 75°F

As I was walking around campus at 1412, I noticed a western grey squirrel dashing up a conifer, a fir tree most likely. Only earlier this morning, when I was walking to work, I saw two western gray squirrels at 745 near the SW corner of the quad. They hurried across the path, preoccupied in their own tasks. At 1600, another plump grey squirrel sat on its haunches perusing the ground at the east front of Eaton Hall, unaware of others passing by. All of the squirrels I encountered today must have been scurrying for food to store for the winter since most of them were unconcerned by the constant activities nearby. Either that, or they were all accustomed to humans. At around 1400, while wandering along the trails in the botanical garden, I discovered a 3-inch slug on its side with its mucus strewed behind. It was mainly brown with a few olive green vertical patterning running along the back, making it look somewhat like a Rufous garden slug, a diurnal one at least. It curled inward slightly on the damp bark as I turned it onto its foot. At 211, a swift bird of dark blue coloration flew from a broadleaf tree with trunks radiating from the base, which grew along the brick wall of the Sparks Center. It may have had the markings of a barn swallow, with an orange underbelly. I could find no nests, so most likely, it was merely resting at the tree. Placed near the center of the garden were tall magenta spikes of flowers, fully shrouding the spire of a 7-foot plant, which appeared similar to amaranths. Another intriguingly tall plant about 10 feet tall sported small wisps of a pale lavender flower. Shaped like dandelion bristles, the cluster could not have possibly weighed more than an ounce, yet the stalks were bending over across the path, forcing me to duck beneath them as I walked back toward the entrance. I noted that most of the honeybees and bumblebees were pollinating the 2-foot high oxeye daisies. Twenty to 30 were flying about the single square foot of daisies but strangely few of the other adjacent flowers were graced by any.

Jane Martin-9-11-08

J. Martin

11 September 2008

1403-1426

Its about 80 degrees and very nice out, the sun is shining and its not very windy but there is a nice breeze. I decided to go back to the same spot I was at earlier today.  Something about the Japanese Garden really sparked my interest.  I read the plaque and it was created in memory of a teacher (I believe).  It seems like an interesting thing to make in memory of someone.  It made me want to delve deeper into the origin of the garden.  I noticed a cement, birdhouse type figure about 20 feet in front of me.  I went and looked inside but I could not figure out the sole purpose of it.  I didn’t see any birds flying into it, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a birdhouse.  There are many things about this garden that seem strategically placed but I’m not entirely sure why they were put that way.  For example there is a path of rocks, and they act as steps for a slight decline or incline depending on which way you’re looking at it.  The rocks however are not in any particular order, but they are legitimate steps so it would seem like they were meant to be like that even though they don’t look like it.  The plants in this garden have a completely different feel to them than the plants that I have been observing previously.  These plants are longer leaves and brighter green.  They seem to have a tropical feel.  

Mill Stream Reflections

Observer Name:  Kaitlyn Rice

Date:  10 September 2008

Time:  1507 hours

Place:  Mill Stream

Weather:  Sunny and warm, hot in direct sunlight

I have a new location today in the central part of campus.  A leaf just rode past me on the ripples of the stream.  I could find almost a certain amount of humor in watching it bob up and down.  This tiny, yellow leaf on the ride of its life while others just hang (ha, no pun intended) out on the reaching tree branches.  Of course, little things like this happen every day sometimes noticed, but often times not.  A tree--this one older than the Birch on the Kaneko grounds, shelters me.  The shade is my refuge from the heat, without it, I would not be at this post.  As I glance downstream, the Mill Stream's "W" appears, from my point of view, as an oblong "S".  People dot the banks of it, some in chairs, other just sprawled on the grass.  It is the picturesque setting Willamette would send to prospective students on a postcard.  The steram flows past me to the west, ocean-bound, or more familiar, Willamette River-bound.  The bottom of the stream is caked with dark, spotted rocks.  Like icing on that cake, a mossy green plant lies.  In the background, sirens and then an airplane are heard, and I am brought back to reality.

Minto-Brown Park

7 September 2008
1345-1400
Willamette River, Minto-Brown Park, Salem, OR
Weather: Hot, sunny, few clouds

I am sitting on what seems to be a water pipe. The pipe is roughly 1 foot in diameter and is located right along the side of the Willamette River. The path i followed down to the river turns abruptly from mud/dried dirt to stones. along the shore there are 2 tree trunks dipping thier ends into the river. One tree next to me has a rope dangling off of it, this tree has ovately shaped leaves and it lives primarily in the shade. On the muddy path there is a slug curled up it is about 2 1/2 inchees in length. When fully stretched out the slug, which i believe to be a banana slug, was approximately 4-5 inches in length. When the slug began to move it left a trail of slime behind it, but then after about 7 inches the trail was no longer visible.

Jane Martin-9-11-08

J. Martin

11 September 2008

0930-0957

Sitting in the Japanese Garden, facing the back of the Olin Science Building and with my back to the Art building I realized how peaceful it is in that small, nook-like shelter with a bench.  It is nice to sit in there because you can look around and not feel like you are missing anything because the whole garden is in your view of observation.  I start to notice some very distinct features about all different trees and bushes.  The long thin leaves, the short rounded leaves, but what I notice the most is how the garden is set up.  Why everything was placed where it was placed.  Another question I ask myself is, why did they put a fence around it? Well after sitting there for quite some time doing other work, I realized that I would not like it as much if the fence weren’t there.  With the fence it is a whole different feel to just sitting in some grass.  It is very peaceful because you can’t see the people walking, biking, and running by.  Sometimes you can hear the golf cart type equipment being driven by but you do not have to worry about overhearing another persons conversation or having to look after your belongings because its so busy.  People walk through, but that was it. 

A moment of frustration for me was when I was observing 2 squirrels.  They looked to be Eastern Gray Squirrels but I may be mistaken.  They were chasing each other all over the garden from tree to tree.  And when one would get in the lead the other squirrel would chase him.  They stopped abruptly directly in front of me and were staring at me.  After about 15 seconds passed I made some noises to see what they would do.  Nothing.  That was surprising to me that they didn’t run away.  Just then a man came barging through the entrance of the Japanese Garden making a lot of noise.  He came over to where I was sitting and started talking in his boisterous manly voice.  No need to say, the squirrels scattered and raced up different trees.  All he wanted was the cigar he stashed in the covered bench roof.  That ruined my squirrel observing for then.

Am I ecologically indifferent?: 8 September 2008

Rose Dickson

8 September 2008 

1700 – 1723 hours

Facing the millstream, with my back about 30 yards from The Bistro on Willamette University campus, Salem, OR, USA

87 degrees, clear skies

            Am I ecologically indifferent? Am I ignorant to the beauty and service in which nature bestows upon us? As I sit by the millstream to relax I take the opportunity, not only observe my fellow classmates that gather and pass, but to take note of what is surrounding us. What species of tree is that one? The one which I take shade under nearly everyday to read philosophy. And that one?  The one where, right now, my classmates are relaxing and playing a game of cards; using the tree trunk for support. As I sit a little longer, I wonder how long have these trees have been here? How long they have been serving students, like myself, that wistfully take them for granted? My philosophical tree, a Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), giving all who greet it a sense of stability and a place for contemplation. The Black Cottonwood, (Populus tremuloides) providing students with comfort and an easy place to unwind. To learn about nature is more than to use it. To learn about nature is to see it, observe it and explore it. Be in it. 

Tyler Starr: 9/11, Jackson Plaza over Mill Stream

Tyler Starr

11 September 2008 from 0740 to 0758

Location: Jackson Plaza on the steps leading to the Mill Stream, facing west.

Weather: About 60 ̊ F, no wind, no clouds, but the sun is still mostly behind a building where I am sitting.

General: I had extra time before my class started, so I decided to observe the mallard ducks since they are normally not around during the day. I counted 33 total ducks. Of the 20 that were close enough to distinguish feather colors, 9 appeared to be male and 11 appeared to be female. There are a variety of activities going on, all of which I will try to describe. A large portion of the ducks are eating. Ten (at this moment) are on the southern river bank pecking at the grass. Occasionally one will flap their wings for a brief second and jump up to or down from the ledge, about 2-3 feet high. One clever duck realized that she could eat the grass growing on the retaining wall of the ledge without having to jump up (see picture to right). Other ducks turn upside down in the stream to feed off of the bottom (see picture to left), which I find rather amusing. The second most prominent activity seems to be preening (see picture to right). The ducks are molting their feathers in preparation for their migration. It is mostly noticeable with the males. The males exhibit a lot of variation—several males still have all of their normal markings, while some have brownish-gray heads and brown, white, and gray speckled feathers. The ducks are mostly silent, except occasionally, one or two ducks will follow another one with a repetitive “quacking” sound. I don’t know why they do it; it doesn’t appear to be out of aggression by any means. Twice I saw a duck rear up flap its wings in place, although once again, I do not know why. Even while I was sitting there, three ducks took off and flew to the east. I always wonder where they go during the day, and if they leave to escape people or the heat. When I walked by the stream at 1115, about 10 or so ducks were sitting in the shade on the northern bank under a tree, but when I walked by again at 1245, all of the ducks were gone. This observation was especially enjoyable; watching the ducks was very amusing.

hannah test

Is it working?

September 11th

Philip Colburn

11 September 2008

Location: Just north of the construction site behind Baxter.

Time: 0745- 0800 hours

Weather: Sunny and 54 degrees

 

I decided to go somewhere else near to the construction site because it seems like a very good place to talk about the difference between then and now. I went to the park just north of it at about 8 am, which would normally be a decent time to find animals.  However, the park is still almost completely empty.  It is just full of trees and one or two Western Grey Squirrels.  It appears that the noise from the construction has scared away a significant number of animals that used to live in the park.   The construction has forced these small islands of wilderness to be almost completely evacuated, leaving all of the trees almost free of movement.  This completely ruins the point of having these small isolated parks in the city, because the parks are refuges for the wildlife that lives in Salem.  Hopefully the animals will return to these parks after the construction is finished, but it is impossible to know for sure

Photo Mine

Test Post

Testing

Philip Colburn   

Observation for September 9, 2008

Location: Just north of Baxter Hall, near the construction site.

Weather: Clear and 63 degrees

Time: 1945- 2000 hours

I am sitting next to three trees.  They are evergreens with needles and they are surrounded by dropped cones, some relatively small, and some extremely large.  The tree acts almost like a willow tree, with long, curving branches jutting outward and small branches covered in pine needles hanging down from them.  Dust from the construction site just west of here has settled over the whole area like a fine coating.  There are no animals here, even though I am here late in the day.  I would have at least expected to see a small squirrel or something at this time because it has cooled off and it is the perfect time to go foraging, but perhaps they have been scared off by the noise of the construction site.

Construction Site Photo Courtesy of Me and my terrible webcam.

Squirrels...Dead AND Alive!

Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 5 September, 2008
Place: Japanese Garden
Time: 1345- 1400

Weather: Warm, sunny.

I wanted to check out the squirrel nest in the Big Leaf Maple west of the Japanese garden on campus, so I climbed the stairs up to the landing where we looked at the Star Trees the first day of class, but I saw nothing in the nest, so I headed back down. On the way I noticed a gray squirrel tail that appeared to be hanging from a branch, but as I walked farther down I could see that a whole squirrel was lying on the branch of one of the trees in the Japanese garden. It seemed really strange that if the squirrel was sleeping it would just let its tail drift around, so I started to think maybe it was dead. I went and looked more closely at it (as close as I could) and tried to climb the tree, but that did not work so well. As I was trying to climb it, another squirrel appeared and seemed to be trying to figure out what I was or what I was doing there. It got about ten feet away and did this head bobbing thing where it would stare very intently at me and weave it's head side to side and occasionally up and down, all while sniffing. Then it would leap to another location and repeat the process. It did this about five times, and during a couple of them s/he would suddenly vanish to the other side of a branch or farther up the tree. Eventually it ran off to the maple where the nest was located, and I couldn't see it anymore. The head bobbing behavior reminded me of two things: First, what I have heard that a cat does when it is curious and doesn't know what something is, and second, what Barn Owls do when they're upset, which is to sway their wings back and forth and weave their heads around while hissing.

*Photo courtesy of: http://f4bscale.worldonline.co.uk/Squirrel%20dead.gif

Jane Martin-9-9-08

J. Martin 9 September 2008 1926-1949 I am sitting with my back to the millstream and Smith auditorium, looking at the left side of Putnam. I decided to sit there because I like the bright pink flowers that are the only flowers of their kind in that area. The vibrant color caught my eye earlier today and I decided to try to identify the kind. With no such luck I found 2 types that they slightly resemble. They resemble both Skyrocket (Ipomopsis Aggregata) flowers and Red Columbines (Aquilegia Formosa). The color is very different in the flowers I am looking at to the 2 that it resembles. They are 2-lipped flowers and hang from the top of the stems. They almost look as though they are wilting but I think they are supposed to look that way because the plant looks very healthy. As I glance around I notice some bushes maybe 8-10 feet tall and they have red/orange and green leaves. The red/orange leaves are facing the sun. It seems as though they have changed color because of their direct open path from the sun. The green leaves are tucked under the others and on the backside of the bush. It does not look like they get as much sunlight, which is why I believe they are still green. As I get up to leave I notice the sky. The sun is setting and all I see is yellow fading to a grey/blue color. It looks calm and serene. I turn around to look at the whole sky and I notice a tree that looks very strange. It is on the opposite side of the millstream from me and it is completely slanted as if the wind has blown it towards the library. It is very strange because the tree looks healthy but it is on a complete curve. The branches and leaves seem to have grown in such a way so that if the wind blows really hard they wont be bothered. There is also a bare spot where it looks like the wind hits the tree the hardest. I would like to take a picture but my camera s in my room, and it is almost dark.

September 8th

Philip Colburn

8 September 2008

Location: Mill stream near Hatfield Library

Time 1500- 1520 hours

Weather: Sunny and hot at 88 degrees

 

There are hundreds of slick weeds just under the surface of the water.  They appear dark green and move with the current of the stream.  They don’t have long trailing feathery parts as most algae does, but they appear to be solid green streamers, like kelp or eelgrass of some sort.  There are many small swallows that flit from tree to bush and back and forth.  I also saw a few Grey Squirrels scampering across the grass looking for nuts.  As I am directly in the sun, I become very warm very quickly and need to move into the shade.  It seems like all of the animals are also taking cover from the heat, as I see very few animals out in the sun.  All of the animals have already gotten their food for the day and are spending it trying to stay out of the heat and trying to avoid becoming food for other animals.

Picture of eelgrass courtesy of http://www.scientificillustrator.com/art/botanical/eelgrass.jpg

9 September 2008, Mini-Falls

Observer Name:  Kaitlyn Rice

Date:  9 September 2008

Time: 1920 Hours

Place:  Miniature Falls outside of Kaneko

Weather:  Sunset with a slight breeze.  

1920 hours, the sun is setting and there is a slight breeze.  The skies are clear and darkening.  I am perched on a rock outside of my dorm.  Inside, my laundry is turning inside of the washing machine.  Out here though, there is a cool breeze that playfully tosses my hair.  There are several sounds--most come from the traffic on 12th street.  An Amtrak train made a stop at the depot as well, its cabins lit well for the passengers inside.  More directly though, there is a small waterfall that produces a calming effect.  The continuous rush of water brings my mind away from the sounds of 12th street and back to "the little things".  Three clumps of a type of flower may be the first thing one notices.  The leaves are about a foot long and shaped like thick blades of grass.  The flowers are purple and miniature, but all grouped together along one stem so they appear as a thin hyacinth.  It is nearing dark and as I look up, a half of the moon can be seen.  The sound of a passing freight train blocks out my miniature oasis and as it passes, my perch rumbles with vibrations.  It is past, and I turn back to my cleverly planned landscaping.  With no surprise, I spot a spider in the miniature fir tree nearest me.  It sits patiently as the breeze tosses its web back and forth.  As my eyes follow the path of the water, I notice that the pond that is made for the water is not full.  I wonder what this area looks like in the rain? (credit: http://www.zoomr.com/photos/auer1816/2931081)

September 7th

Philip Colburn

7 September 2008

Time:  1245 hours – 1330 hours

Location – Minto-Brown Park along the Willamette River

 

I saw a Red-Tailed Hawk soaring very far above us.  Never flapped its wings, was just gliding, similar to the flight patterns of the osprey.  Also saw some kind of fishing spider, with incredibly long legs designed for both walking on water similar to a water bug and snatching insects off the edge of the water to eat.  His body was light green patterned with black bands and he had shorter legs that ended in small round orbs which were apparently used for mating.  When coaxed onto a finger, he immediately sent out a silk parachute, hoping to catch the wind and sail off the finger, which worked amazingly well, flying off of Dave’s finger and onto me.  Also saw 5 to 10 small snails clinging to rocks just under the water level.  They would not come out of their shells, despite an unreasonable amount of coaxing.   The trail was completely framed by the Himalayan Blackberry. The berries were in full season, there were hundreds of berries within easy reach of the trail.

Soaring Red Tailed Hawk courtesy of http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsL-R/RedTailedHawkMT.jpg

Minto-Brown Island Park: 7 September 2008

Rose Dickson

7 September 2008 

1315 – 1400 hours

Stream bank about .3 miles NW of parking lot 3 of Minto-Brown Island Park. Salem, OR, USA

86 degrees, clear skies

            I have come to realize why, above all else, I love hiking through the Pacific North West. It’s not the shimmering coastline, the lush vegetation or the enormous evergreens. My new fascination is the Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus Discolor). Okay, I guess the other natural amenities make the adventure pretty nice too, but this berry is a perfect hunger-quenching snack for the trail. (It even beats out Costco brand trail mix, and that’s quite the feat.) Today I am exploring and adventuring through Salem’s largest community park, Minto- Brown Island. Looking to my left I see the Willamette River running east to west and to my right the invasive, non-native, but refreshingly tasty Himalayan Blackberry, growing for as far as the eye can see. I begin walking northwest of parking lot 3 along the river’s edge. As I explore a shady spot on the waterfront, I become increasingly more cautious where to set my feet, due to the astonishing amount and size of the Banana Slugs (Ariolimax columbianus), who seem to have decided, as I did, this would be a great spot to spend their Sunday afternoon. One slug I paid particular attention to, seemed to only move about his bodies length in a minute, and in doing so seemed to lose half his body mass in slime. How does such a small creature create so much slime? I eventually gave up on the thrilling idea of Banana Slugs and walked a little farther into an agricultural clearing. As I relaxed in the sun I spotted 3 types of birds, turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and a red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis). The turkey vultures and the hawk were circling for prey hiding out in the crop fields, most likely seeking a bunny of some kind. The osprey, however, came right over my head. He only stayed a short while but long enough for me to enjoy the grace in his flight, as well as become ever more jealous of the ease at which he soars.

Bench at Mill Stream

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 09 September 2008
Time: 1441-1510
Location: N of Putnam Center, across the Mill Stream, Willamette University
Weather: Clear, 88°F

I believe I found the most benevolent spot to rest in the entire campus, here on the opposite side of the Mill Stream. A single bench marks the spot, contributed by the Class of 1997 for their 10th reunion. Today the weather is sunny, the sky cloudless, and the temperature 88°F. This spot allows me to view a main central point of campus with people lying about the bank of the stream, splashing the water with their feet and reading on the luscious grass. Simultaneously, the spot is secluded from others, giving me the opportunity to unwind a bit and recharge. The Mill bubbles about me from the east to the west, curving along Jackson Plaza. A maple tree with smooth grey bark shadows the bench that I sit on, creating a haven-like atmosphere. It is not an easily accessible place. One must walk around the rear of the Smith Auditorium and stroll along the back for about 50 paces eastward. Bark-chip laid around the area is perhaps a year old, not displaying the fresh look of newly cut wood. Grass hesitates its flat range of growth at the east end of the bench and grows sporadically in clusters along the concrete wall lining the stream. Black-eye daisies are in full bloom and starting to appear inverted, with their black flowers forming a conical shape and the rays aiming diagonally downward. Nearby, a slender Japanese Maple appears newly planted. At 1449, a squirrel is chattering behind me, hiding the trunk of a 20-foot shrub with elliptical leaves radiating from the branches in a whorled pattern. The shrub also sports round black ½ inch berries. The squirrel had a straight bushy grey tail with black horizontal streaks. It digs in the ground and looks up frequently as if afraid someone would catch it in its activity. Then, as if aware I was staring, it scurries forward a few inches and looks up at me, allowing me to see its white underbelly. A little while later, it climbs the shrub effortlessly while using the tail for balance. Following such, it commenced to gnaw on pinecones and drop them at intervals. A small bird also flew overhead toward the University Center, perhaps a swallow. In my observing, a grey spider dropped down onto my laptop. Its torso was full and circular. At 1501, another squirrel joined my friend. Are they related? A family? I can clearly see that its fur is brownish grey with a white undercoat. I can say with near certainty that it was a western gray squirrel, or Sciurus griseus. Both squirrels appear well fed and one of them later left its perch to climb up a deeply furrowed conifer tree with drooping branches, a sequoia most likely.

Tyler Starr: 9/10, Quad

Tyler Starr

10 September 2008 from 1912-1937

Location: The Northeast corner of the quad.

Weather: 78 ̊ F, little to no wind, skies clear, but most of the quad is in the shade because the sun is setting.

General: I focused on identifying the trees surrounding the quad, but to no avail—I was unable to identify most from my Field Guide, so I did some research online. I believe the first tree was some sort of buckeye or horse chestnut tree, of the genera Aesculus. I counted 9 of this specific type of tree along the Northern edge of the quad. They were about 40 feet tall, with trunks that diverged about 6-10 feet up. The leaves are palmately compound, with seven leaves to a “palm.” (see picture, the leaf and fruit on the left). The fruits are very interesting—they are green spheres or ovals that are about 2 inches or so in diameter. They are surrounded by sharp prickles. I broke one open, and found a small, brown nut inside. I observed 6 of another type of tree immediately to the north of the tree described above. It was about the same height. Its leaves (right side of picture) were a pretty cool shape—it is like a palmately lobed leaf, except the “fingers” are pretty short. The leaf that I took is about 6-8 inches across. I was unable to identify this tree. I asked Professor Craig if he knew what type of tree it is, and he said it is known as a tulip tree or yellow poplar. There are many other types of trees along the other three boundaries of the quad that I will try to identify later. I noticed that the trees along the north edge are trying to grow out over the quad to capitalize on the open sun-bathing space over the big field. One of the trees I first described has a huge chunk of its trunk cut off on the south side, apparently leaning out too far over the quad.

Mallards in Riverfront Park

Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 1 September, 2008
Place: Gravel bed, Riverfront Park
Time: 1010-1025
Weather: Sunny, some clouds, breeze


There are three Mallards eating in the quieter water of the stream before it does a U-turn and races into the slough. One of the ducks, a female, has drifted downstream and now stopped. How does she stay in one place like that? Paddling her feet constantly, like we tread water? Or maybe it’s shallow enough that she can stand up and lean into the current? The water seems fairly shallow as it drops down into the slough, but perhaps it’s not further up. There are mainly grasses by the edge of the water, and further up are shrubs and blackberries. Even further than that the trees start, although down by the slough it looks like they come much closer to the water. Also near me above the “rapids” there is a group of dancing bugs.


Weather Journal:

Condition:
Estimated
Actual *

Temperature:
65° F
65.4° F

Wind Direction:
South
South-Southeast

Wind Speed:
1 mph
0.4 mph

Humidity:
40%
69.8%

*Quoted from Weather Underground (http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KORSALEM32&graphspan=custom&month=8&day=31&year=2008&monthend=9&dayend=1&yearend=2008)

7 September 2008, Minto Brown

At 1420 hours, I am walking the path that runs parallel to the Willamette River.  It is sunny today and very warm, but not necessarily hot.

Although the river is right next to me, I cannot see it.  The bank slopes down and lining the path and obstructing my view are rows and rows of blackberry bushes.  Stopping to inspect one, I notice that their vines have thorns, like rose bushes and are thick and tough.  The blackberries themselves are not very sweet-tasting, but the concept behind them is still very cool.  Looking to the other side of the path, there are rows and rows of trees, Poplars.  They are tall and do a nice job of shading me from the sun's rays.  At the base of the Poplars are groups of flowers that grow fairly tall.  They are white and at the very tops of the stems.  There aren't many animals around, but over the top of me a turkey vulture flies.  Its wings are spread wide and are dark as the sun hits the top of it and I see the bottom.

Restrooms at Minto-Brown Park

Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 07 September 2008
Time: 1412 to 1434 hours
Location: 44°25’N 123°04’W, NW of Parking Lot 3, Minto-Brown Island Park
Weather: Clear, 83°F

About 20 steps NNW of the Women's Restroom, at 1412, the paved trail (frequented by people biking and walking) was partially shadowed by a 200 feet tree with heart-shaped leaves. The tree forked into three separate trunks at the ground level. The bark was deeply furrowed and of a light brown tint. The leaves were arranged oppositely, with the branches ending in a brown bud that had a brown sappy substance seeping out. The branches were grey, speckled with white. According the Field Guide of the Pacific Northwest, the tree was most likely a Cottonwood. Green lichen grew heavily on the trunk and fibrous, grey lichen hung from the limbs. I heard a low, intermittent buzzing sound to the NW of the path. Something that sounded similar to a drawn out buzzzz, followed by short "zit, zit, zit"s. However, the creature eluded me in the 4 feet tall grasses. The grasses, already brown and yellowing, sent up spikes of grains. A 6-foot tall plant tipped with brown cones stood behind the grasses. The spiny/thorny stalks, also dried, had a slight pale brown to them. The 6 inch serrated leaves were oppositely arranged, curling inwards toward the stem. The cones were 3 inches long, with hair-thin bristles and small diamond hollows. Slender 2-inch long spikes were arranged curling about the cone. Slightly further north were brown stalks sporting flowers that seemed of the compositae family, maybe tansy. Even further in to the NW, a plant of an intriguing arrowhead shape was withered and limb. Upon closer inspection, the plant was a vine that curled about the grasses and blackberry bushes. The leaves were staggered and opposite, smooth, un-serrated, and approximately 4 inches long, 2 inches wide. A few were tinged with red in anticipation of autumn, yet for the most part, they were of a purely green with a few lighter colored veins.