lbennett's Journal

Over fall break I went for a walk on a trail in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The weather was a little chilly, but sunny. Most of the leaves of trees had begun changing colors or falling. I observed many different types of plants. Most of the plants I saw on my walk were vascular plants. I observed two types of plants with larger, green leaves. iNaturalist identified them as being Amphicarpaea and American Beech, or Fagus grandifolia. I also observed long grass like plants that iNaturalist identified as Bedstraws. Another plant I observed had small red berries on it and it was identified as Barberries. I enjoyed this walk and observing all of the different plants in the area.

For this week's theme of fungi I walked around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The weather was fairly warm for an October day and it was somewhat cloudy. Since fungi are decomposers I searched for them on ill or deceased trees and plants. I looked at various tree stumps, logs, and piles of leaves searching for fungi. I happened to notice some kind of bright yellow mushroom high up in a tree which the app identified as Fried Chicken Mushroom or Lyophyllum decastes. I found this very interesting because I have never seen this in person before. I also found what looked like a white mold on a dead life which iNaturalist identified as Powdery Mildews. I observed other fungi growing on dead plants. I enjoyed seeing various fungi right in a local park.

I went for a walk this morning around the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The weather was fairly warm and sunny. Many animals were out and swimming in the water. As soon as I started my walk I saw various wild plants. The first plant I saw was a green leafy plant which iNaturalist suggested to be Amur Honeysuckle or Lonicera maackii. The second wild plant I saw were small white flowers which appeared to be daisies and iNaturalist suggested that they were in the subphylum of angiospermae. I then saw small pink flowers closer to the water which iNaturalist suggested to be Common Heather or Calluna vulgaris. As I was walking, there were many geese on the walking path that did not move as people passed. iNaturalist suggested that the geese were Canada Geese or Branta canadensis which was confirmed by another user of iNaturalist shortly after. I also saw moss on a rock which iNaturalist suggested was Seductive Entodon Moss or Entodon seductrix. Towards the end of my walk I saw small white flowers which iNaturalist suggested to be Common Yarrow or Achillea millefolium. At the very end of my walk I noticed a small butterfly flying from flower to flower and luckily it started to open its wings as I took its picture, and I was able to photograph the colors of its wings. iNaturalist suggested that it was a Small Copper or Lycaena phlaeas. This walk was very interesting and I was able to observe wildlife close to campus.