My Winged Friend

Well, this will be my final blog post, and I'd like to start off by explaining what I saw on one of my last observations. I saw a bird, however this was no ordinary bird, it was an American Robin "these birds are generally driven south by cold temperatures"(Nehls). However due to the fact that it hasn't really been cold down in the valley, which is quite odd for this time of year. Some birds like this one have decided to hang out around the trees I observe, and seek shelter, and nourishment. I'm not too sure how long he will hang out around the trees, but so far two out of the five days this week, I have noticed him perched all alone at the top of one of the trees at the exact same time of day. This got me wondering: what does this bird eat? according to an online website "In fall and winter they gather in large flocks to roost or gather berries"(American Robin). I found this to be odd, because whenever I saw him he wasn't in a flock nor was he gathering berries. I found myself wondering if he's a lone bird that was left behind, or if he just needs some alone time away from the rest of the flock. I have a very strong feeling that very soon I will begin to stop seeing my winged friend, due to the upcoming cold front that is due to hit early next week. I wish this bird the best of luck in his travels, and I hope I get to see him next year.

To most people these trees mean absolutely nothing, just more scenery that has been added to a street beside a middle school. However even before I began to observe these trees I felt a connection to them, a connection that brings back memories of my childhood, and the home that I live in. I'm not too sure what will happen after this school project ends, but I do know that because of this project I now have a bigger sense of love for these trees.

Works Cited

"American Robin." , Identification, All About Birds. Cornell Lab, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.

Nehls, Harry, Tom Aversa, and Hal Opperman. "American Robin." Audubon Society of Portland. Audubon Society, n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2014.

The Discovery

This evening (11/17/14), I decided for whatever stupid reason that it would be an excellent time to observe the trees, hoping maybe to see some wildlife that only comes out at night. Normally it would be a great idea except for the fact that tonight it was below freezing, so I regret the decision. So while I looked frantically for any source of life other than my own I began to wonder to myself. "Nick do you really think that any living creature is going to be wondering a treeline next to the road when it's below freezing?" Well after taking that into consideration I gave up on trying to find life and began photographing the area that I observe, that way everyone has a great idea what it looks like during the night. I also decided to do some research on the trees to find out specifically what they are. According to the Arbor day foundation they are either a big-tooth maple or a canyon maple(What tree is that) I discovered this by using the questionnaire that helped me find out what kind of tree it was.

So for starters from the time that I arrived to the time that I left there was not a single car that drove by, now granted it was 10:30 on a Monday night. So I guess I shouldn't expect rush hour traffic to be flowing through. The other thing that I noted aside from my personal experience of seeing my breath, and feeling absolutely frozen. Was the fact that all of the cars that were parked on the street contained lots of frost, as demonstrated by my car. I hope that all of this cold weather mixed with some sort of downpour will bring snow.

Work Cited

"What Tree Is That?" What Tree Is That? Online Edition at Arborday.org. Arbor Day Foundation, 2008. Web. 01 Dec. 2014.

The Beautiful Nights

Generally when I finally decide to stop being lazy and go out to observe the trees it's around 4:30 in the afternoon. However because of an activity that caused a disruption of my observation schedule, I had to do it later that night. What I saw when I went out was stupendous, it was miraculous! I saw a full moon, and clouds that were lightly blanketing it, almost as if the clouds were shielding the beauty of the moon that night. I tried to take a picture of the unique beauty that was in front of me, but no matter how many times I tried with the flash on, or off I just couldn't get the picture that I wanted! I guess some things just aren't meant to be captured and put on display.

Because I never actually even looked at the trees during the night I went back the following morning to see what I missed. Since I've been really slacking off on my job of daily observations, there was a noticeable difference in the way the trees looked, compared to how they looked the last time I saw them. Most of the little trees were completely without any leaves, and a good portion of the road was covered with orange yellow and brown leaves. I'm not quite sure when the next storm is going to come, but I hope it comes soon. I really want to be able to ski in the road next to the trees, like I did a few years ago.

Fall is in full swing.

Lately while observing the trees I've noticed just how beautiful fall really is. Even though the nights and early mornings are cold, the afternoons are warm, forcing me to decide whether to wear jeans or shorts. I still believe that if you want to see something beautiful in nature, these trees are your best bet. With all of their beautiful and colorful leaves falling off, these trees provide a sight that isn't dismal. Sometimes when I feel sad and I need a getaway from home or school, I will sit in the field at Mendive Middle School and either look at the trees' elegance and stillness, or look up the sky and wonder to myself the fate of the trees. When I move away or die will these trees that I have seen almost everyday for my entire life still be standing? Or will they be uprooted and the space they currently inhabit be used for something boring, and ugly to look at?

I have so many questions I ask myself about these trees, however none of the trees ever provide me with any clear answers. Until they do I will wander around my line of trees and continue to gaze at them in astonishment, and wonder.

Oh What A Wonderful World

For as long as I can remember I used to wake up in the morning get dressed, and go to school, always passing by the long line of trees and bushes, sometimes i would walk by the trees and put my two fingers in between a branch and pull the leaves off until it looked like a beautiful flower in my fingers. On other days in the fall, or early winter I would put one leg on the side walk, and one in the gutter and drag myself through the remaining leaves. Just recently because of my new start at Wooster High School I haven't been able to pass by these trees every morning. So when this project was introduced I thought it would be amazing to observe these trees I once observed without thinking.

Ever since I started to observe the trees closely I have noticed details I couldn't even dream about seeing when I was just a child. So far I've observed broken fence boards that a child or teenager has broken, in order to get to the house directly behind it. I have also noticed many wild life changes such as a birds nest, multiple little insects, and lizards that roam the ground. The leaves still without a doubt still are the best things so far that I have seen, their rapid change from green to orange to yellow is just breathtaking. I just hope that when the winter storms come around the trees will look just as breathtaking as they are now!

The Observation project

Hi everyone my name is Nick and in my English class we are doing a nature project which forces me to observe something of my choice. I decided to observe the trees that run alongside the street across from Mendive Middle School, which is about a block away from my house, so it is very convenient. I plan on observing the trees and their surroundings, such as the moonlight, the ground, and the weather that occurs. At least four times a week after school on my way home, I have yet to set a specific time to carry out my observations. Throughout the course of this project I hope to be able to notice vast changes in the way the trees react to the changes of seasons.

So far what I've noticed is that the trees provide a great deal of shade from the sun to the houses that are directly behind them. This is something that anyone who drives on the road can see, and by the time that Mendive gets out of school the shade has shifted, and it provides excellent shade to the parents that are parked directly under the trees to pick up their students. I can still remember when I walked home from school under those trees. The shade felt so good during the hot August afternoons.

I've never had to observe these trees so closely, I hope that this school project will actually be one of the ones I will enjoy, and remember years from now. I look forward to my future observations to see how the trees change from the beginning of the project, to the end.