H.Waller
Date: 5 November, 2008
Time: 1500
Weather: Overcast, breezy, 54 degrees
Location My room in kaneko
I got back from an outing this afternoon and walked across my room. Then as I turned around to go back to the other side of the room, I freaked out for a bit when I noticed a brown clump on the floor that looked exactly like dog poo. Upon going closer to examine it better, I noticed that is was made up mostly of leaves and had no offensive odors. Eventually, I got up enough courage to pick it up and was relieved when I came to the conclusion that I had not tracked dog poo into my room, but rather leaf mush that was stuck to the bottom of my shoes. This is something I have never experienced before becuase at home when there are that many leaves on the ground they are very dry and then they all blow away before it snows.
09 November 2008
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 2 November, 2008
Time: 1125-1135
Location: Across the Mill Stream from Goudy.
Weather: Cloudy.
There are two squirrels interacting in what seems like an intricate dance as they move up the tree. They can clearly detect body language and signals that I cannot, since they will respond drastically to what seems like nothing to me. They chase each other around and around, occasionally stopping to groom a tail or explore a branch of the tree before resuming their conversation. Soon they're out of sight, but it still is amazing how they can communicate without using any words or noises.
Date: 2 November, 2008
Time: 1125-1135
Location: Across the Mill Stream from Goudy.
Weather: Cloudy.
There are two squirrels interacting in what seems like an intricate dance as they move up the tree. They can clearly detect body language and signals that I cannot, since they will respond drastically to what seems like nothing to me. They chase each other around and around, occasionally stopping to groom a tail or explore a branch of the tree before resuming their conversation. Soon they're out of sight, but it still is amazing how they can communicate without using any words or noises.
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 9 November, 2008
Time: 1538- 1555
Location: Outside Kaneko.
Weather: Overcast, with some sun to the west.
The rain that was a complete downpour not too long ago has passed now, and what we’ve got left are streaky purple/pink/gray clouds and the sun setting. There are a couple squirrels hopping around, and they seem perfectly dry. Where do squirrels go when it rains? If they went into a tree they’d probably stay pretty dry. They have both been clearly eating a ton of food for the winter, but they’re still digging around in the ground looking for or burying food, and one has something in its mouth.
Date: 9 November, 2008
Time: 1538- 1555
Location: Outside Kaneko.
Weather: Overcast, with some sun to the west.
The rain that was a complete downpour not too long ago has passed now, and what we’ve got left are streaky purple/pink/gray clouds and the sun setting. There are a couple squirrels hopping around, and they seem perfectly dry. Where do squirrels go when it rains? If they went into a tree they’d probably stay pretty dry. They have both been clearly eating a ton of food for the winter, but they’re still digging around in the ground looking for or burying food, and one has something in its mouth.
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 9 November, 2008
Time: 1200-1230
Location: Riverfront Park
Weather: Mostly cloudy, sunny.
The river has risen and covered the place our class sat just a couple months ago. Almost exactly where we were is a group of ducks bathing. Even from up on the globe I could hear their wings flapping as they splash around. Every few minutes one will stand up and flap it’s wings vigorously, making a loud clapping noise and sending water all over the place. To my left there is a frog that has started calling, and another one across the river is answering it. I can also hear the sparrows that congregate in the blackberries along the river. To the south and the west there are purple-black clouds lurking, but where I am the sun is shining so brightly that I have to squint and the ducks are only a little more than silhouettes. A third frog to my right is now also calling to the other two. In front of me there is a shallow creek-like band of water that separates me from what is left of the gravel bar. On my side there is a patch of mud with what looks like duck tracks. There are quite a few, and so they are indistinct, but some are pretty obvious. And they’re fresh. They could even have been made by the ducks that have finished their bathing and are now settling down to groom. There are too many to journal them all in the time I have, but I draw a few of them, and a map to where they are.
Date: 9 November, 2008
Time: 1200-1230
Location: Riverfront Park
Weather: Mostly cloudy, sunny.
The river has risen and covered the place our class sat just a couple months ago. Almost exactly where we were is a group of ducks bathing. Even from up on the globe I could hear their wings flapping as they splash around. Every few minutes one will stand up and flap it’s wings vigorously, making a loud clapping noise and sending water all over the place. To my left there is a frog that has started calling, and another one across the river is answering it. I can also hear the sparrows that congregate in the blackberries along the river. To the south and the west there are purple-black clouds lurking, but where I am the sun is shining so brightly that I have to squint and the ducks are only a little more than silhouettes. A third frog to my right is now also calling to the other two. In front of me there is a shallow creek-like band of water that separates me from what is left of the gravel bar. On my side there is a patch of mud with what looks like duck tracks. There are quite a few, and so they are indistinct, but some are pretty obvious. And they’re fresh. They could even have been made by the ducks that have finished their bathing and are now settling down to groom. There are too many to journal them all in the time I have, but I draw a few of them, and a map to where they are.
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 8 November, 2008
Time: 1714-1731
Location: Star Trees.
Weather: A few clouds, dark, cold wind.
As I walk back to campus from downtown the wind has gotten progressively colder, and while it was very pleasant when I set out, now it makes me wish I had brought a coat. When I walk under the Star Trees noise drops off considerably, and it puts me in mind of old growth forests where there’s no human noise to be heard. Even the wind cannot make the trees make noise: their branches are waving, but not making a single sound. The sky through the star is still a medium blue, even though the sun has set. It is definitely the weird amorphous twilight time.
Date: 8 November, 2008
Time: 1714-1731
Location: Star Trees.
Weather: A few clouds, dark, cold wind.
As I walk back to campus from downtown the wind has gotten progressively colder, and while it was very pleasant when I set out, now it makes me wish I had brought a coat. When I walk under the Star Trees noise drops off considerably, and it puts me in mind of old growth forests where there’s no human noise to be heard. Even the wind cannot make the trees make noise: their branches are waving, but not making a single sound. The sky through the star is still a medium blue, even though the sun has set. It is definitely the weird amorphous twilight time.
Observer: Eloise Bacher
Date: 6 November, 2008
Time: 1435-1445
Location: Path between the library and Sparks.
Weather: Overcast.
We were going to climb trees today in class, but instead went to Matthews and watched Planet Earth. I’m still thinking about the fungus one, where the fungus took over the insect’s brains and made it go insane. We also talked about nematods, which apparently do the same thing, like make mice not afraid of cats, so the nematods are passed onto the cat. Now I’m walking back to Kaneko from Matthews, and there’s a squirrel sitting frozen at the edge of the path. Then suddenly s/he turns and leaps backwards to sit in a bush, still staring at me. As I walk past hir, s/he keeps moving backwards towards the library, but always keeping an eye on me.
Date: 6 November, 2008
Time: 1435-1445
Location: Path between the library and Sparks.
Weather: Overcast.
We were going to climb trees today in class, but instead went to Matthews and watched Planet Earth. I’m still thinking about the fungus one, where the fungus took over the insect’s brains and made it go insane. We also talked about nematods, which apparently do the same thing, like make mice not afraid of cats, so the nematods are passed onto the cat. Now I’m walking back to Kaneko from Matthews, and there’s a squirrel sitting frozen at the edge of the path. Then suddenly s/he turns and leaps backwards to sit in a bush, still staring at me. As I walk past hir, s/he keeps moving backwards towards the library, but always keeping an eye on me.
H.Waller
Date: 4 November, 2008
Time: 1745
Location: Kaneko, 3 east
Weather: raining, 53 degrees
Today I was sitting at the end of my hall in Kaneko on the 3rd floor east talking innocently to a friend on my cell phone and I was terrorized by a creepy spider with huge long legs up in the corner of the ceiling. I recognize this spider from home as a daddy long legs. Upon consulting Audubon for further info on the offending arachnid I learned that their season is April to November, but inside all year round. Also listed as one of the places under habitat is buildings along with trees and fields. I wonder why this spider particualarly and uniquely is so fond of buildings. None of the other spiders officially list buildings as their own habitats.
Image courtesy of Google Images
H.Waller
Date: 3 November, 2008
Time: 1130
Location: sidewalk by the chicken fountain
Weather: chilly, drizzly, 50 degrees.
Today I was walking back to class from Kaneko, and as I really wasn't looking forward to going I was moving at a very slow pace and took time to look down and observe the leaves around me on the sidewalk upon which I traveled each day. I noticed how most of the leaves were a yellowy color with brownish spots like a golden delicious apple. However, my eyes were pleasantly surprised now and again when I would spot a very vibrant red and orange one. What acconts for thcolor difference? Are the vibrant ones more newly changed than the mono color ones? Another surprise greeted my aesthetic experience of leaves when I found one leaf that was a very dark almost black color with thin streaks of orange. It reminded me of spiderman and his evil counterpart.
Tyler Starr: 11/09 am, Mill Stream between library and Rogers
Tyler Starr
9 November 2008 from 1130-1145
Location: The Mill Stream in between Rogers and the library
Weather: 54 ̊ F, occasional slight breeze, partly cloudy, showering on and off all day
Collin's Observations Week 9
C.Jones
3 November, 2008
Outside Shepard
1328
It is cold and moist outside as it has just rained. I hear a bird calling in a nearby tree. Wet leaves are everywhere on the damp ground in shades of yellow and red. There are no ants out today. I can see the specs of water dripping off the green leaves. I see a spider which seems to be weaving a web above the bushes. It looks like it's walking in midair. The bushes are dripping with moisture. They look extra green today as I hear a bird call nearby. The dirt looks like it would be good farming soil. The leaves continue to trickle water. I notice something that resembles applesauce on the ground. Leaves litter the area.
frank.itlab.us/spider_2002/large/sticky_web.jpg
C.Jones
4 November 2008
Outside Eaton Hall
1423
It is cold outside as it has just rained and big yellow and brown leaves litter the ground. The leaves on the trees are dripping water and look very green and lush today. The bushes have little green leaves shaped like flowers sprouting from their tips. I see a few red shaped leaves on a nearby bush, they look out of place with all of the green ones. The leaves littered on the ground look very festive. Sticks scattered around look out of place. The dirt on the ground resembles mud and I thought I heard a bird call in the air. The vegetarian is still in the non existent wind. Water covers some of the leaves on the ground. Moss covers the trunks of the trees.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/298433779_8aad5587d7.jpg?v=0
C.Jones
5 November 2008
Outside Shepard
1345
It is raining out. The ground is littered with leaves tossed about and trampled by the rain and the wind. Many of the trees are now bare, their frames are all that defines them. I see two red leaves by me filled with water and reflecting the light despite the rain. The moss on the trees is extra green and probably slippery. There are many shades of green, yellow, brown and red in the forms of vegetation surrounding me. The dirt is dark as coal and resembles mud. The pitter patter of the rain drowns out the sound of any nearby animals. I see the leaves moving under the rain.
http://www.tropicalisland.de/MZV%20Gunung%20Mulu%20national%20park%20moss%20covered%20tree%20trunk%20in%20rainforest%20b.jpg
C.Jones
6 November 2008
Millstream
1428
The river i the lowest I have ever seen it. It looks more like connecting puddles then a stream. The bed stream is above the water in some areas and there are actually piles of leaves sitting on the water's surface. It is relatively windy but warm outside and it looks like the stream has not seen water in weeks despite the recent rain. The grass is very green, however, and many of the leaves scattered across it are now in the river. I just watched the wind ripple the water in one direction, like a wave. The rocks in the stream appear to have nothing supporting them now that the water is low. The trees are bare or their leaves are mostly yellow. Fall colors are vibrant here. I see the grass blowing in the wind. The bushes are blowing in the wind too.
C.Jones
9 November 2008
Outside Shepard
1341
It appears to have just rained outside as there is water all over the surrounding area. The leaves are still in shades of festive fall colors. The plants look extra green from the rain. I hear a bird chirping in the distance, maybe with another, I cannot tell. I see a white bug floating off the pavement and over the water's surface. I feel raindrops as it looks like it's about to rain. The green leaves are broken in various places, although they seem to be quite dry despite the rain. The soil looks as fertile as ever, it seems to have kept the moisture. I hear another bird call way to my left, maybe it's communicating to the one before. The plants shift in the light wind.
3 November, 2008
Outside Shepard
1328
It is cold and moist outside as it has just rained. I hear a bird calling in a nearby tree. Wet leaves are everywhere on the damp ground in shades of yellow and red. There are no ants out today. I can see the specs of water dripping off the green leaves. I see a spider which seems to be weaving a web above the bushes. It looks like it's walking in midair. The bushes are dripping with moisture. They look extra green today as I hear a bird call nearby. The dirt looks like it would be good farming soil. The leaves continue to trickle water. I notice something that resembles applesauce on the ground. Leaves litter the area.
frank.itlab.us/spider_2002/
C.Jones
4 November 2008
Outside Eaton Hall
1423
It is cold outside as it has just rained and big yellow and brown leaves litter the ground. The leaves on the trees are dripping water and look very green and lush today. The bushes have little green leaves shaped like flowers sprouting from their tips. I see a few red shaped leaves on a nearby bush, they look out of place with all of the green ones. The leaves littered on the ground look very festive. Sticks scattered around look out of place. The dirt on the ground resembles mud and I thought I heard a bird call in the air. The vegetarian is still in the non existent wind. Water covers some of the leaves on the ground. Moss covers the trunks of the trees.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/105/298433779_8aad5587d7.jpg?v=0
C.Jones
5 November 2008
Outside Shepard
1345
It is raining out. The ground is littered with leaves tossed about and trampled by the rain and the wind. Many of the trees are now bare, their frames are all that defines them. I see two red leaves by me filled with water and reflecting the light despite the rain. The moss on the trees is extra green and probably slippery. There are many shades of green, yellow, brown and red in the forms of vegetation surrounding me. The dirt is dark as coal and resembles mud. The pitter patter of the rain drowns out the sound of any nearby animals. I see the leaves moving under the rain.
http://www.tropicalisland.de/MZV%20Gunung%20Mulu%20national%20park%20moss%20covered%20tree%20trunk%20in%20rainforest%20b.jpg
C.Jones
6 November 2008
Millstream
1428
The river i the lowest I have ever seen it. It looks more like connecting puddles then a stream. The bed stream is above the water in some areas and there are actually piles of leaves sitting on the water's surface. It is relatively windy but warm outside and it looks like the stream has not seen water in weeks despite the recent rain. The grass is very green, however, and many of the leaves scattered across it are now in the river. I just watched the wind ripple the water in one direction, like a wave. The rocks in the stream appear to have nothing supporting them now that the water is low. The trees are bare or their leaves are mostly yellow. Fall colors are vibrant here. I see the grass blowing in the wind. The bushes are blowing in the wind too.
C.Jones
9 November 2008
Outside Shepard
1341
It appears to have just rained outside as there is water all over the surrounding area. The leaves are still in shades of festive fall colors. The plants look extra green from the rain. I hear a bird chirping in the distance, maybe with another, I cannot tell. I see a white bug floating off the pavement and over the water's surface. I feel raindrops as it looks like it's about to rain. The green leaves are broken in various places, although they seem to be quite dry despite the rain. The soil looks as fertile as ever, it seems to have kept the moisture. I hear another bird call way to my left, maybe it's communicating to the one before. The plants shift in the light wind.
Observation Nov 9
Phil Colburn
9 November 2008
Weather: Cloudy
Location: Park by the state capital
Time: 1320-1340 hours
The ground is littered with red and yellow leaves from all of the trees that lose their leaves in the fall. The trees are still mostly covered in leaves, but one can still see the few empty branches reaching outward from the clustered bunch of red leaves into the grey sky. Eventually that cluster of leaves that forms a tangible wall that the empty branches reach from will shrink and shrink until they all fall completely off of the tree. Then, the tree will be ready to survive the winter, barring some bizarre circumstance that kills it.
9 November 2008
Weather: Cloudy
Location: Park by the state capital
Time: 1320-1340 hours
The ground is littered with red and yellow leaves from all of the trees that lose their leaves in the fall. The trees are still mostly covered in leaves, but one can still see the few empty branches reaching outward from the clustered bunch of red leaves into the grey sky. Eventually that cluster of leaves that forms a tangible wall that the empty branches reach from will shrink and shrink until they all fall completely off of the tree. Then, the tree will be ready to survive the winter, barring some bizarre circumstance that kills it.
Observation Nov 8
Phil Colburn
8 November 2008
Location: on The field in front of goudy.
Time: 1110-1130
Weather: Cloudy
I sit on the concrete barrier in front of Goudy, and look out across the field. The UC is on my left, and there are some buildings to my right that I think are dorms, but I’ve never been over there so I’m not sure. There are some bushes in front of the bike shop that look like rhododendrons, but I’m not sure because they aren’t flowering right now, so the only clue that I have to go on is the fact that the bush’s leaves look like rhododendron leaves.
Picture courtesy of http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/r/wrhma4-lf26241.jpg
8 November 2008
Location: on The field in front of goudy.
Time: 1110-1130
Weather: Cloudy
I sit on the concrete barrier in front of Goudy, and look out across the field. The UC is on my left, and there are some buildings to my right that I think are dorms, but I’ve never been over there so I’m not sure. There are some bushes in front of the bike shop that look like rhododendrons, but I’m not sure because they aren’t flowering right now, so the only clue that I have to go on is the fact that the bush’s leaves look like rhododendron leaves.
Picture courtesy of http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/r/wrhma4-lf26241.jpg
Observation Nov 7
Phil Colburn
7 November 2008
Location: The Mill Stream, sitting next to the impossible triangle sculpture.
Time: 10:30-10:50
Weather: Cloudy
As I sit by the triangle sculpture, I look at the Mill Stream, and it is worryingly low. The stream is so low that many of the rocks that make up the streambed are not only showing above the waterline, but they are actually dry. It is very unusual that the stream is so low, especially since we have had a decent amount of rainfall over the past few days. It is possible that the stream is being clogged by leaves at a point that is farther up the stream.
7 November 2008
Location: The Mill Stream, sitting next to the impossible triangle sculpture.
Time: 10:30-10:50
Weather: Cloudy
As I sit by the triangle sculpture, I look at the Mill Stream, and it is worryingly low. The stream is so low that many of the rocks that make up the streambed are not only showing above the waterline, but they are actually dry. It is very unusual that the stream is so low, especially since we have had a decent amount of rainfall over the past few days. It is possible that the stream is being clogged by leaves at a point that is farther up the stream.
Observation Nov 6
Phil Colburn
6 November 2008
Location: The Star Trees
1040-1100 hours
Weather: Rainy
I take shelter from the rain beneath the Star trees, which surprisingly keep off the rain very well. The patches underneath each tree are still bone dry. Also, underneath these trees are virtually the only place on campus where there are no fallen leaves in sight. However, there are always dead needles carpeting the area immediately underneath the trees. These needles act as a way to keep the dirt and mud out, keeping the area underneath these trees one of the least muddy on campus, making it an ideal area for small animals such as squirrels to move and search for food without getting cold, wet and dirty.
Picture courtesy of http://www.salemdailyphoto.com/pics/5startrees.jpg
6 November 2008
Location: The Star Trees
1040-1100 hours
Weather: Rainy
I take shelter from the rain beneath the Star trees, which surprisingly keep off the rain very well. The patches underneath each tree are still bone dry. Also, underneath these trees are virtually the only place on campus where there are no fallen leaves in sight. However, there are always dead needles carpeting the area immediately underneath the trees. These needles act as a way to keep the dirt and mud out, keeping the area underneath these trees one of the least muddy on campus, making it an ideal area for small animals such as squirrels to move and search for food without getting cold, wet and dirty.
Picture courtesy of http://www.salemdailyphoto.com/pics/5startrees.jpg
Observation Nov 5
Phil Colburn5
November 2008
Location: By the bridge over the Mill Stream near the Hatfield Library
Weather: Cloudy
Time: 1100-1120 hours
The plants that border the mill stream seem to be doing fine. One tree that is low to the ground has had all of its leaves turn yellow now. There are no more green leaves on the tree, proving that we are well into fall. However, one problem that these beautiful leaf colors cause is they tend to clump together in the millstream, which can obstruct water flow and turn the water stagnant. This can cause many problems, such as lowering the oxygen content of the stream and allowing algae to choke it, like it is shown in the picture here.
Picture courtesy of http://www.gardenrant.com/my_weblog/images/2007/10/30/pond_2.jpg
08 November 2008
Tyler Starr: 11/8, The Quad
Tyler Starr
8 November 2008 from 1230-1245
Location: The northwest corner of the Quad
Weather: 55 ̊ F, no wind, raining on and off
General: It was misting slightly as I sat on Quad. A heavy bout of rain had just ended, so I decided to do an observation. The rain makes everything feel clean and refreshed. Many more leaves fell from the trees due to the force of the rain. One interesting thing that I noticed was that later, as I was walking to the football game, Pringle Creek was a very murky brown color, almost reminiscent of chocolate milk. The Mill Stream looked like that earlier this week, and I wonder if somehow the rain triggers a disruption of the sediment. The middle of the Quad is very wet and muddy. A crow descended upon the southwest corner of the Quad and was picking at the ground. Perhaps it is eating worms that come up from the ground during the rain. The squirrels, however, are not really out at all. I guess they don’t like the rain too much. It seems like all of the big trees along the north side of the Quad are in the process of losing their leaves. I can see three non-coniferous trees that are still completely green, and a couple that are mostly green. The days continue to get shorter and shorter now, so I’d imagine most of the leaves on campus will be gone soon.
07 November 2008
Gardening
Observer: Estella YeeDate: 11-7
Location: Kaneko’s community garden, north of the sky bridge
Time: 1516-1546
Weather: Overcast skies, 60˚F
When I had walked across the sky bridge over 12th street toward Kaneko in the past, I had never realized a small area of the land adjacent to the buildings. Usually, my eyes would be attracted to the lines of the buildings and their modern designs. Far too easy to be swept away by the crimson buildings, I had neglected a rectangle of land known as the community garden. South of the Tokyo International University of America building, six rectangles of dirt mounds were flourishing with greeneries. The soil was damp and dark as I walked over a hose lying in between the sections. Many crops were still producing. My eyes drew in sight of ripe sugar snap peas, green beans, small 2-inch buds of broccoli, vivid red Swiss Chard, and lacy c
ilantro. Few people seemed to bother picking the food when it was so convenient to purchase meals in the cafeteria. Yet, my friends who I met there today were intent of utilizing fresh greens in their food, endeavoring to incorporate them into a meal that they knew would eventually find its way into college students mouths through their purchases. If only others were as intent on doing so, the garden would mostly likely not had fallen into its slight neglect today. There was minimal maintenance; the peas were bursting full, zucchini’s 6 inches long, and broccoli infested with aphids. I think introducing a natural repellent or biological control would be beneficial to the community as a whole.Uppermost picture (taken sometime in the earlier seasons) courtesy of http://tiua.edu
Tyler Starr: 11/7, Botanical Gardens
Tyler Starr
7 November 2008 from 1545-1600
Location: A walk through the Martha Springer Botanical Gardens
Weather: 63 ̊ F, still with an occasional 5 mph gust of wind, mostly cloudy skies
General: Everything feels very awake in the pleasant weather. In total, I saw 3 different squirrels scurrying around the Botanical Gardens. Many of the small birds that were out the last time I observed the gardens were out again. In particular, I noticed the bird that I always see but never can identify, with a white and gray body with a dark or black head and neck, along with several chickadees. I found an interesting fruit lying on the ground. It was about an inch long, sort of in the shape of a pear. It was light green, with beach ball-like segments. The outer layer peeled back like moist paper, and on the inside, there was a small, soft green ball. Inside of that there were many seeds that looked like those of bell peppers. The ground is very soft and muddy from all of the rain, especially towards the back of the gardens. I noticed that a group of some sort of plant had been reduced to a cluster of stems. It appeared that grounds keeping cut off the tops of all of the plants with a weed-whacker. Perhaps they are planning to plant something else there next spring.
06 November 2008
I don't know about you, but I can't see anything
Observer: Estella Yee
Date: 11-6
Location: Mill Stream north of UC
Time: 1714-1730
Weather: Light rain, 57˚F
The sun sets earlier now that day light savings has ended, plunging the campus into dim twilight. Most of the birds have slowly disappeared to prepare for the night’s rest, yet I was surprised to find the mallards still swimming around the Mill Stream. Nearly 20 were congregating around the corner of Jackson Plaza, mostly still. A few were plunging their beaks into the water to catch a bedtime snack. As the light dimmed, the stream became dappled with lights from the surrounding buildings, illuminating the gentle ripples. I could not distinguish many of their movements from their resting, that is, floating positions. One duck ostentatiously
flapped his wings in greeting to my arrival as I ventured forward for a closer observation. The movements consisted of the drakes using their beaks to clean their back feathers and wings. The females sounded their quacks momentarily. The light drizzle faded as I watched. Will the mallards stay here during the night? I remember previously that the Mill Stream was deserted during the night as I left campus. Their vision must have been better than mine, for in only 16 minutes, the scene grew dim and I could scarcely make out the shapes of the fowls.
Date: 11-6
Location: Mill Stream north of UC
Time: 1714-1730
Weather: Light rain, 57˚F
The sun sets earlier now that day light savings has ended, plunging the campus into dim twilight. Most of the birds have slowly disappeared to prepare for the night’s rest, yet I was surprised to find the mallards still swimming around the Mill Stream. Nearly 20 were congregating around the corner of Jackson Plaza, mostly still. A few were plunging their beaks into the water to catch a bedtime snack. As the light dimmed, the stream became dappled with lights from the surrounding buildings, illuminating the gentle ripples. I could not distinguish many of their movements from their resting, that is, floating positions. One duck ostentatiously
flapped his wings in greeting to my arrival as I ventured forward for a closer observation. The movements consisted of the drakes using their beaks to clean their back feathers and wings. The females sounded their quacks momentarily. The light drizzle faded as I watched. Will the mallards stay here during the night? I remember previously that the Mill Stream was deserted during the night as I left campus. Their vision must have been better than mine, for in only 16 minutes, the scene grew dim and I could scarcely make out the shapes of the fowls.
Tyler Starr: 11/6, Mill Stream between Rogers and the Library
Tyler Starr
6 November 2008 from 1025-1040
Location: The Mill Stream between Rogers and the library
Weather: 59 ̊ F, 5 mph breeze with gusts up to 15 mph, gray cloudy skies
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