Reflecting on 5 Weeks of Observation at Mount Sutro

What has changed about my place?
Nature is cyclic and in stable non-equilibrium. Which means there is constant change. Both with the seasons and with longer term changes in climate and weather and shifting balances in biotic factors such as predators, viruses and fungus.

Today I went back to the same exact spot I sat for my first observation a little over a month ago. The place felt more lush and over grown. I took pictures to compare with my first visit. Just looking at those pictures I can see that the grass is a little taller but not as much as I expected.There are some new plants that were not apparent during my first visit. They may have been under the cover of the other plants and have since grown and emerged. This furry plant is one of them. I wonder what function the fuzzy covering conveys? Is it a strategy for protection? From predators? or maybe from temperature fluctuations? Does it prevent adhesion of some kind?
I look at the shiny leaved vine that I wrote about in the first post. It seems to be suffering from an attack of some sort. There are these brown radiating circles with a hole in their center. I wonder if the foamy discharge I noticed on the under sides of the leaves last time was the cause. I could find no evidence for this. But turning over some more leaves I noticed that some of the leaves have fresh deposits of foam. Though non of the leaves had both the dark circles and the foam. Further the foam carrying leaves were a much lighter shade of green. Is there some reason that the insect is avoiding the darker leaves? Is it because of the infection? Or do the light green leaves fit the requirements better? Interesting implications here.

This time I also touched the foam and it has a smooth slick feeling and no smell or at least non that I could detect.

What has changed about me?

As I reflect back on the 5 weeks of observation pondering this question, I am not sure. I have always enjoyed time spent in quiet observation out doors and I definitely continue to enjoy this. I really appreciate the extra lens of biomimicry in this pursuit. I find that now beyond just being surprised, intrigued and delighted by nature I am asking so what? What is nature achieving and how? How can this shape my approach to challenges I face.

It has been a long time since I have systematically returned to the same outdoor space every week. This systematic approach is a really beneficial change that allows the identification of patterns over time. I think this is essential to a deep understanding of any natural system. I am excited to continue this as I move forward with my Masters Thesis Project.

Thanks,

Lorris