Phil Colburn
5 October 2008
Weather: Cloudy
Time: 1300-1320 hours
Location: The Construction site behind Baxter
Today I decided to sit up against the fence of the construction site and make an observation on what the construction site contained. There is plastic and sharp gravel everywhere, and no animal ever seems to make an appearance within the construction site. It is possible that some of the plastic on the ground from the construction site could be blown or washed away in the wind or rain and cause serious problems to the areas around it. It is extremely important that the effect the construction site has on the environment around it be strictly contained.
05 October 2008
Observation Oct 4
Phil Colburn
4 October 2008
Weather: Sunny
Location: Crew Boathouse on the Willamette River
Time: 800-830 hours
As I wait for my turn in the Regatta today, I decided to take a look at the water around the boathouse and the kinds of vegetation that live in it. There is a lot of algae in the water, and it seems totally swampy near the boathouse. This is because the incredibly strong current of the river is blocked by a landmass that sits between the river and a small inlet that the boathouse floats in. It is really interesting how drastically the area changes when the current does not go through it.
Picture courtesy of http://www.coremediagroup.org/core/?p=5
4 October 2008
Weather: Sunny
Location: Crew Boathouse on the Willamette River
Time: 800-830 hours
As I wait for my turn in the Regatta today, I decided to take a look at the water around the boathouse and the kinds of vegetation that live in it. There is a lot of algae in the water, and it seems totally swampy near the boathouse. This is because the incredibly strong current of the river is blocked by a landmass that sits between the river and a small inlet that the boathouse floats in. It is really interesting how drastically the area changes when the current does not go through it.
Picture courtesy of http://www.coremediagroup.org/core/?p=5
Observation Oct 3
Phil Colburn
3 October 2008
Weather: Cloudy Time: 1200-1220 hours
Location: Small park north of Baxter
The daffodil like flowers in this park that I mentioned before are no longer blooming. There are only a few flowers left, and the petals are dropping off of them quite quickly. This means that they have reached the end of their blooming season. If they are annuals, they will bloom again later, or if they are perennials, they will die. The leaves on the trees are turning yellow and orange, another sign that winter is coming soon.
Picture Courtesy of http://centaurcunningman.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/daffodil.jpg
3 October 2008
Weather: Cloudy Time: 1200-1220 hours
Location: Small park north of Baxter
The daffodil like flowers in this park that I mentioned before are no longer blooming. There are only a few flowers left, and the petals are dropping off of them quite quickly. This means that they have reached the end of their blooming season. If they are annuals, they will bloom again later, or if they are perennials, they will die. The leaves on the trees are turning yellow and orange, another sign that winter is coming soon.
Picture Courtesy of http://centaurcunningman.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/daffodil.jpg
Observation Oct 2
Phil Colburn
2 October 2008
Weather: Cloudy
Time: 1030-1050 hours.
Location: Millstream
Today I decided to sit on the edge of the millstream facing towards the UC. It was very relaxing in the shade from the trees around me, which looked as if they were of the species Oregon Ash. I was unable to find any animals in the area around me other than the extremely common grey squirrels however. The stream still has the same eelgrass-like stuff in it as well as a few mallards. The mallards are still very sociable to people and will allow me to get quite close before spooking.
Picture courtesy of http://www.geog.ubc.ca/~brian/florae/images/OregonAsh-closeup.JPG
2 October 2008
Weather: Cloudy
Time: 1030-1050 hours.
Location: Millstream
Today I decided to sit on the edge of the millstream facing towards the UC. It was very relaxing in the shade from the trees around me, which looked as if they were of the species Oregon Ash. I was unable to find any animals in the area around me other than the extremely common grey squirrels however. The stream still has the same eelgrass-like stuff in it as well as a few mallards. The mallards are still very sociable to people and will allow me to get quite close before spooking.
Picture courtesy of http://www.geog.ubc.ca/~brian/florae/images/OregonAsh-closeup.JPG
Observation Oct 1
Philip Colburn
October 1 2008
Location: Under the Star Trees
Time: 1450-1510
As I was sitting under the Star trees, I heard some chirping coming from birds that I could not see in the branches of the trees. I also heard the background noise of crickets and frogs, which surprised me because usually they do not start making their song until darkness falls. The trees looked the same as usual, as did the ground under them. Other than the crickets and frogs that were making noise unusually early, there was no change in the area from the observation that I did a few weeks ago. Maybe the noise of the crickets and frogs indicates that the ecosystem is acclimating to the construction both north of it at the state capital and east of it by Baxter.
October 1 2008
Location: Under the Star Trees
Time: 1450-1510
As I was sitting under the Star trees, I heard some chirping coming from birds that I could not see in the branches of the trees. I also heard the background noise of crickets and frogs, which surprised me because usually they do not start making their song until darkness falls. The trees looked the same as usual, as did the ground under them. Other than the crickets and frogs that were making noise unusually early, there was no change in the area from the observation that I did a few weeks ago. Maybe the noise of the crickets and frogs indicates that the ecosystem is acclimating to the construction both north of it at the state capital and east of it by Baxter.
Raccoons and Morning Glories
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 30 September, 2008
Time: 1203-1225
Location: Botanical Garden
Weather: Cloudy with occasional breaks of sunlight.
The raccoon tracks are still here, although blurred and some obliterated by water from the sprinklers. Now they're raccoon paw shaped pools. The domestic dog one is almost completely gone though. What made that one more easily destroyed? Is is because it's right next to, almost on, the path? I can't find any new tracks, but if I check often enough there should be some; a gardener said that he'll put out sunflower seeds for them and that they move through this area. Up ahead there are Morning Glories, and they look like they're glowing in what little sun there is. They're an ultraviolet, but with pink, blue, and white. I'd love to be able to reproduce that color on paper. It's hard to believe that they're invasive; they look so delicate and pretty. Maybe it's just on a smaller scale than Himalayan Blackberry?
Blackberry season over?- 10-5-2008
Time: 13:22-14:03
Date: 5 October 2008
Climate: about 60 degrees and overcast
Location: All over Bush Park near the water
A friend and i decided to take a walk to Bush Park again but this time to see if there are any Blackberries to pick. We walked along the edge of the water finding a bunch of blackberry bushes but most of them were either picked off already, still super green, or shriveled up and not something you would want to eat. This made us sad because we only found about 10 actually edible blackberries in total. This means that we are definitely going into winter... That is depressing because summer and fall has been so beautiful and now we're going to have cold and rain. There is something cozy about the rain but everyday it gets a little depressing. Blackberry bushes, lacking in berries, are all over however. They are taking over everywhere. They are in every bush we saw. They are unwanted in many many places so while blackberries are delicious, they are killing off many other native plants. This is not good for people trying to grow different wildlife. The blackberry bushes are merely taking over. While they give off fruit they are not a wanted species. Coming from PA i am not used to this so i love going to pick blackberries and seeing them all over. But natives are not very thrilled with them because they are not good for the biodiversity in forests.
http://www.birdmom.net/WildflowersPink/Blackberry,Fruit.jpg
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSLE/2008/10/5/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 3 October, 2008
Time: 2200-2215
Location: Kaneko side of the skybridge.
Weather: Cloudy, alternating between rain and misty sprinkles.
The weather keeps changing it's mind. One minute it's almost pouring down rain, then a few minutes later it's windy and clear, at least until you get to the heavy cloud cover. I can almost see the community garden that's next to TIUA and Mill St., and I wonder if the plants are going to actually produce useful fruit, although they did get all that sun that doesn't usually persist this long. Right now the weather is windy, but there doesn't seem to be too much of a wind chill factor, it just feels like the perfect temperature, somewhere between 60 degrees and 70 degrees. It'll probably get really cold later though.
Date: 3 October, 2008
Time: 2200-2215
Location: Kaneko side of the skybridge.
Weather: Cloudy, alternating between rain and misty sprinkles.
The weather keeps changing it's mind. One minute it's almost pouring down rain, then a few minutes later it's windy and clear, at least until you get to the heavy cloud cover. I can almost see the community garden that's next to TIUA and Mill St., and I wonder if the plants are going to actually produce useful fruit, although they did get all that sun that doesn't usually persist this long. Right now the weather is windy, but there doesn't seem to be too much of a wind chill factor, it just feels like the perfect temperature, somewhere between 60 degrees and 70 degrees. It'll probably get really cold later though.
Botanical Garden- 10-4-2008
Time: 22:13-22:44
Date: 4 October 2008
Climate: about 52 degrees and cloudy
Location: Botanical Garden
It's dark out and my friend and i are walking around in the Botanical Garden. We start to notice a bunch of hidden benches around the garden. There are some that aren't quite hidden but in obscure places and then if you walk up the side of the garden there are some against the wall of the Sparks Center (i believe). They look out onto Matthews Hall over a fence and into a parking lot. It is quite hidden up there. It is nice because you're surrounded by nature and yet nobody can see you unless of course they come up to where you are sitting. Its private but somewhat scary at night. It is nice to be alone but when it is dark and you do not know the area very well, there is something very uncomfortable about that. My friend and i sat on one of the benches, it was all wet and covered in a mossy type wet wood. It was kind of gross and made out hands get dirty with a blackish brownish green coating. It is super quiet and you can watch people coming out and going in to Matthews. People stumbling through the parking lots not knowing that anyone can see them. There are big groups of people wandering around and cars pulling in and out of the parking lot. A campus safety car went by and 3 girls quickly ran inside. I like sitting here because there is so much to watch and so few people to both you. While it is dark right now, i'm sure it would feel just as secluded in the daytime. The trees almost act as a shelter from the drizzle but then you also fall victim to the wet leaves that sprinkle you with water when the wind blows and it is not currently raining. I like this spot, the smell of nature, the location, the surroundings. It is nice.
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSLE/2008/10/4/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
Ducks outside of Goudy- 10-4-2008
Time: 1253-1335
Date: 4 October 2008
Climate: about 61 degrees and overcast
Location: looking north out onto the Mill Stream from the small dining room in Goudy Commons
I was sitting at brunch with a group of people and we all noticed the ducks in the Mill Stream that is only about 15 feet from where we were sitting. There were 2 male mallards and 1 female mallard. They looked relaxed and unprovoked just paddling around in the mill stream. One thing that i notices about them was that the current kept seeming to change and every time it changed they would swim in a circle. This was really interesting because it was almost like they were perfectly content with the spot they had chosen to wade in and they didn't want to move. The mill stream didn't seem to have a steady current. It would seem very calm for a bit and the would seem to be moving very quickly. This is most likely due to the wind blowing since it is slightly windy and cool out. I am not sure what appealed so much to the ducks about this chosen spot but it really seems like they chose it on purpose. They really did not want to relocate so their morning consisted of circling around in the water to keep from moving down the stream.
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSLE/2008/10/4/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
Leo Castillo
3 October 2008 from 11:00am-11:30am
Location: Chinese garden. Between Art building and Olin
Weather: 72* Sunny.
I wanted to seen if the Chinese garden had gone through any changes since the last time I was there. As I stepped into the jungle I saw a little shade with a bench where I could site and make some observation and see If I could tell if there where any changes. If you look up at the top of this picture, you too can see that I am under a shade. Then if you look from the right to your left you will first notice the shrub that leys on top of that semi big boulder. This shrub is dark green it seems to be in its prime and a young looking shrub. Then behind that we have eight brown walls that give it that Chinese look and keep things out. Next to that is a little bamboo tree that is against a brown wall and it seems to support this bamboo tree. In seem to me that if you look close enough you can see a little window in the wall and you can look out. After that there are tree long skinny trees that split into about five steams that mainly go straight up and don’t go out to the sides. Looking back down there are little shrubs that if I could I would make little miniature trees. If you look hard enough you can see the green generators from the pervious observation. There is a trail that you can fallow and you can walk and see the whole garden and it’s covered so it a nice way to hide from the sun. Another thing you can notice is that fall leafs on the floor and how dry they are.
Bush Park- 10-3-2008
time: 14:17-14:43
date: 3 October 2008
Location: Bush Park on the far side of the football field from the Willamette University campus
Climate: about 60 degrees drizzling to light rain and overcast
I decided to take a walk with a friend because both of us wanted to get away from campus for a little. I figured this would be a good time to do an observation. We walked to Bush park and kept walking through the trees on a little path. We came to a bridge that had a sign near it that said Pringle Creek. We decided to take a left and go up a little hill. While we were walking i noticed something big and unusual (to me) on the ground. I stopped and said "EWW GROSS". My friend laughed at me and said "cool! a Banana slug!!". This slug was huge to me. I've never seen one so big. My friend told me when you lick them your tongue turns numb which was very weird. He then told me it doesn't happen to him anymore when he licks them because he has so many times, which was weird. I'm not used to slugs being so big! Its drizzling a bit so thats probably why its out. Well i am just making an assumption based on what i know about worms and how they are more likely to be out after it has rained. We kept walking and i noticed a maple leaf that was about 8 inches wide which is huge compared to leaves back in philadelphia. Maple leaves are really big but this one was perfect, it had no holes or marks on it at all. I though this was pretty cool but once again my friend was not phased. After walking a little longer i looked up and notices how big and beautiful all the trees are. There are tons of Oregon White Oak trees and i love oak leaves. They are so cool because they have such a distinct shape. Its the kind of shape that if i were to draw it, people would most likely not believe it was a leaf. The colors are so pretty here. They are starting to change and it looks so nice.
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSLE/2008/10/3/DailyHistory.html?req_city=NA&req_state=NA&req_statename=NA
http://wdfw.wa.gov/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=8670&g2_serialNumber=2
funky vines on telephone pole- 10-1-08
Time: 16:16-16:39
Date: 1 October 2008
Location: in between college of law and the Atkinson graduate school of management
Climate: 73 degrees, slight winds
With the College of Law to my right and the Atkinson Graduate School of Management to my left i am walking towards downtown Salem. There is a stream, the Mill Stream to my left. It basically ends here and i notice a very tall telephone pole type thing. There are many different strange vines coming out of it. It almost looks like someone stabbed the telephone pole a bunch of times with vines all the way up. It is very strange to look at because while it is natural it looks almost fake. It almost reminds me of the huge cell towers i have near my house. They are extremely tall and go way up into the sky but they look like trees. So you have all of the normal height trees and then there is the one single pole going up into the sky covered in fake trees and branches. This telephone pole isn't one of those but it reminds me of that. This is just merely a telephone pole with vines that happened to grow in a very interesting way.
http://www.wunderground.com/history/airport/KSLE/2008/10/1/DailyHistory.html?req_city=Salem&req_state=OR&req_statename=Oregon
Leo Castillo
2 October 2008 from 1:00pm to 1:30pm
Location: Olin and Collins.
Weather: 67* Sunny.
As I head back to yesterdays location, I remember the spot and how other stuff had capture my attention. One thing that captured my attention the most was the two generators that hid within the shrubs and ferns. It funny that they painted the generators, green to make them blend in with their green surroundings. I’m assuming that the shrubs don’t get bigger then that or grow taller, so that they can get around to the generator. There are about seven shrubs around the generator with about a three-foot distance. These shrubs aren’t like the tree from yesterday; they are half bright green and the other half light green. This is a sign that fall is here and you can tell by the two ton colored shrubs and leafs on anything around campus. the ends of these shrubs are a similarity between a big shaggy moss a but it’s not the same. Most of the soil looks to be very dry and lacking on bark dust, and there is a white car that is distant.
Leo Castillo
1 October 2008 from 1:00pm to 1:30pm
Location: Between Art building and the Olin Science Center.
Weather: 68* mostly cloudy.
Thinking about what I was going to do today and where I was head. Observation crossed my mine, but first I need a place and thing that no one has done yet. Also I needed to find a camera to capture the moment. So I headed over to my friends and asked for it, without doubt I kept looking for that one place. Then I remember the garden between the art building and Olin and how I haven’t been there in a while. So I head over and a lonely tree captures my attention. It’s a brand new tree and young one, all by its lonely self so I decided to spend some time on it. By the way some leafs, it appears to be a type of Lady Fern plant leafs and it all by itself. Another noticeable aspect about this tree is that it seems to be a little gloomy. Two walls separate this tree from the rest to the garden that lies behind these two walls. It surprises my how green it leafs still maintain bright and rich, now that we are in October.
04 October 2008
Squeaking door?
Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 10-03
Location: Southwest of Olin’s main entrance
Time: 846-901
Weather: 55˚F, lightly drizzling
The Japanese maple I noticed a month before now has an abundance of scarlet leaves, with only a few facing south a dull hue of green. The seeds are still attached an
d hanging downward. The east side has a bundle of less vibrant red leaves, some even brown in color. I heard several juncos chirping nearby on the tree with yellow dead leaves. The tree still appeared the same in comparison to the last time I had analyzed it, with only several leaves fallen. I wondered if it was originally a shade of gold such that the withered leaves are merely a normal result of autumn. An elevating machine was raised up into a nearby tree with ovate leaves but it didn’t seem the bother the juncos. As I stood there observing the birds, large droplets of water falling from the leaves barraged me while the juncos continued to chirp happily. Were they communicating with each other or celebrating the first rainfall of the month? The tree had deep furrows and mosses lightly coated the top of the branches like green snow. I saw a small bird with a needle beak fly up to the top of the yellow-leaved tree as I was heading back into Olin’s but a crow flew over and perhaps chased it away. It flew back momentarily and rested at approximately the same spot. I heard a squeaking door sound and mistook it for a machine or something but to my surprise, it actually originated from the bird. According to Dave, my colloquium professor, the sound is used for mating. I could barely see the bird, but I noticed that it remained perched for some time before flying off. From the picture I managed to take, I saw that the bird had a white breast and a streak through its eye. I would deduce it was either the Rufous or Allen’s hummingbird but unfortunately, I could not observed the color to definitely identify which of the two species.
Date: 10-03
Location: Southwest of Olin’s main entrance
Time: 846-901
Weather: 55˚F, lightly drizzling
The Japanese maple I noticed a month before now has an abundance of scarlet leaves, with only a few facing south a dull hue of green. The seeds are still attached an
d hanging downward. The east side has a bundle of less vibrant red leaves, some even brown in color. I heard several juncos chirping nearby on the tree with yellow dead leaves. The tree still appeared the same in comparison to the last time I had analyzed it, with only several leaves fallen. I wondered if it was originally a shade of gold such that the withered leaves are merely a normal result of autumn. An elevating machine was raised up into a nearby tree with ovate leaves but it didn’t seem the bother the juncos. As I stood there observing the birds, large droplets of water falling from the leaves barraged me while the juncos continued to chirp happily. Were they communicating with each other or celebrating the first rainfall of the month? The tree had deep furrows and mosses lightly coated the top of the branches like green snow. I saw a small bird with a needle beak fly up to the top of the yellow-leaved tree as I was heading back into Olin’s but a crow flew over and perhaps chased it away. It flew back momentarily and rested at approximately the same spot. I heard a squeaking door sound and mistook it for a machine or something but to my surprise, it actually originated from the bird. According to Dave, my colloquium professor, the sound is used for mating. I could barely see the bird, but I noticed that it remained perched for some time before flying off. From the picture I managed to take, I saw that the bird had a white breast and a streak through its eye. I would deduce it was either the Rufous or Allen’s hummingbird but unfortunately, I could not observed the color to definitely identify which of the two species.
03 October 2008
Waitress trees
H.R. Waller
Date: 3 October, 2008
Time: 1023
Location On the west side of Rogers
Weather: Colder, raining, 58 degrees
Today as I was walking through the dark glum of a first really rainy day, passing countless faces twisted up in uncomfortable scowls as icy drops of rain hit their faces, I noticed in the corner of a pair of concrete walls jutting out from Rogers an inconspicuous looking tree. It looked like a man slouching against a building as if waiting for a friend to come back from an errand inside the building. From a distance the tree looked like any typical Christmas tree, but up close its needle patterns were much more interesting and distinct. The bunches of needles all around each branch clumped together and curved up in an oblongated dish shape. The tree looked as if it was a waitress balancing hundreds of little green tea saucers on its arms. There was only one other tree like it on the other end of the building.
Date: 3 October, 2008
Time: 1023
Location On the west side of Rogers
Weather: Colder, raining, 58 degrees
Today as I was walking through the dark glum of a first really rainy day, passing countless faces twisted up in uncomfortable scowls as icy drops of rain hit their faces, I noticed in the corner of a pair of concrete walls jutting out from Rogers an inconspicuous looking tree. It looked like a man slouching against a building as if waiting for a friend to come back from an errand inside the building. From a distance the tree looked like any typical Christmas tree, but up close its needle patterns were much more interesting and distinct. The bunches of needles all around each branch clumped together and curved up in an oblongated dish shape. The tree looked as if it was a waitress balancing hundreds of little green tea saucers on its arms. There was only one other tree like it on the other end of the building.
02 October 2008
Squirmish
Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 10-02
Location: South of Belknap’s front entrance, oak tree immediately southeast of the bridge
Times: 944-1000
Weather: 61˚F, a few raindrops here and there, overcast skies
Squirrels have altered from sweet docile rodents into vicious wild creatures fighting for means of survival. All around campus, I can see few squirrels cooperating to increase their hoard of nuts and food for winter. It’s curious how that notion never seems to cross their minds. Most squirrels were all for themselves, except for a family I found early this morning near the botanical gardens. Two scrub jays were shrieking loudly, attracting my attention to the oak tree. The tree itself had a few yellow leaves higher up. One network of slender branches pointing south was completely bared of leaves. The bark had light furrows and was tinted a dark brown. The base of the trunk was approximately 7.5 feet in diameter (1.5 arm spans). While I was nervously hugging the tree, I noticed I had barely avoided crushing a honeybee. It seemed immobile, yet after a while, it started crawling over the bark methodically. Both scrub jays remained along the south side of the tree, calling out to each other. Suddenly, they flew off in a hurry toward the southwest across the parking lot toward a willow tree. Two grey squirrels were the culprits, who had sneaked behind them and chased them off. It seemed like an odd behavior until I finally managed to see the large clod of dried leaves, signifying a nest. It’s possible that the two mates stripped the leaves off of the southern branches to make a home for their young. The squirrels then started to make a barking noise, not unlike the one I heard in the botanical gardens a month ago. They seem to desire to descend the trunk, but since I stood there, they felt slightly threatened and remained in the tree. I heard a junco start singing nearby at about 1000, a series of three higher notes followed by three lower, aspirated notes.
Date: 10-02
Location: South of Belknap’s front entrance, oak tree immediately southeast of the bridge
Times: 944-1000
Weather: 61˚F, a few raindrops here and there, overcast skies
Squirrels have altered from sweet docile rodents into vicious wild creatures fighting for means of survival. All around campus, I can see few squirrels cooperating to increase their hoard of nuts and food for winter. It’s curious how that notion never seems to cross their minds. Most squirrels were all for themselves, except for a family I found early this morning near the botanical gardens. Two scrub jays were shrieking loudly, attracting my attention to the oak tree. The tree itself had a few yellow leaves higher up. One network of slender branches pointing south was completely bared of leaves. The bark had light furrows and was tinted a dark brown. The base of the trunk was approximately 7.5 feet in diameter (1.5 arm spans). While I was nervously hugging the tree, I noticed I had barely avoided crushing a honeybee. It seemed immobile, yet after a while, it started crawling over the bark methodically. Both scrub jays remained along the south side of the tree, calling out to each other. Suddenly, they flew off in a hurry toward the southwest across the parking lot toward a willow tree. Two grey squirrels were the culprits, who had sneaked behind them and chased them off. It seemed like an odd behavior until I finally managed to see the large clod of dried leaves, signifying a nest. It’s possible that the two mates stripped the leaves off of the southern branches to make a home for their young. The squirrels then started to make a barking noise, not unlike the one I heard in the botanical gardens a month ago. They seem to desire to descend the trunk, but since I stood there, they felt slightly threatened and remained in the tree. I heard a junco start singing nearby at about 1000, a series of three higher notes followed by three lower, aspirated notes.
Tyler Starr: 10/01, Mill Stream
Tyler Starr
1 October 2008 from 1805-1820
Location: The south bank of the Mill Stream in front of the University Center
Weather: 72 ̊ F, mostly clear skies, little to no wind
01 October 2008
Odd Smelling Plants
H.R. WallerDate: 1 October, 2008
Time: 1020
Location: Outside Smith on the east side of the building
Weather: nice, sunny, 66 degrees
I have noticed since I came to Oregon a particularly strange smell now and then that I have never experienced before. My family tells me I'm a "supertaster" as I have really sensitive taste buds and can taste things they can't. I also don't like most sauces and intense tasting foods. I'm wondering if that also applies to the sense of smell for me. I finally realized that the thing I've been smelling was a certain type of bush that I've seen around Salem. There is a large row of the plant on the side of Smith in a big, rectangular shape, perfectly manicured and squared off. The bush is short and green and very thick (you can't see air between its web of appendages) and it has little green leaves the size of a flattened penny. The leaves are oblong shaped and have no apperant arrangement pattern. The smell is very hard to describe, to me it's kind of like bitter soup, but I smell it every time I pass that area and once on a walk I smelled it and looked around, and sure enough there was that same type of bush. I would lik to know more about why this plant gives off an odor!
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