Field Study #3

Saturday, September 26, 2026

I finished my third field study today! I've been waiting (and wanting) to do one (since these have been turning out to be quite fun), and had the perfect chance this weekend, so I thought "why not?". I was able to see some changes in my area since last time, since its been two weeks this time. The days are flying by! It was also a splendid day out, perfect for being outside. Although, it was kind of challenging to find critters to take photos of... despite that, I managed to get a few!

Field Notes:

Date: 09 - 26 - 26

Time: 5:30p.m. - 5:50p.m.

Length of Day: 7:32a.m. -7 :33p.m. (12h, 1m)

Temperature: 66°F (felt warmer)

Climate: Clear and sunny, dead calm

Observations: It was gorgeous out today! I didn't hear the cicadas this time either which makes me wonder when they stop all their noise during the summer-fall? I never really noticed when they went away, but the crickets made up for it! I heard the creek of course, but I didn't hear the tree branches at all because there wasn't even a whisper of breeze! But I did heard lots of different bird calls, maybe 5-6 different types? It was interesting to listen to them. Again, I am no professional bird call identifier... but I could hear a woodpecker! Not that it's a bird call per-say, but it is evidence of a bird! I was on a streak of identifying and heard a crow as well. Even though it's an easy species to differentiate from other birds, at least I could tell what it was; thats a win! Moving on from birds, I heard a squirrel chirp and then run up tree; I didn't get a chance to see it. A different animal, and not one of flight, was very noticeable.. our outdoor cat! So I had company this time; it was nice but he was so loud! At least I can add him to the list of things I observed. On another note, my lack of the ability to smell has not changed magically since the last field study, unfortunately so, but I could smell grass pretty well; kind of like when you've just mowed your lawn. There were still a couple flowers lying around, Queen Anne's laces was still there, and some- I want to say, wild strawberry flowers. The shrubs I said in my first field study (that looked "arid like") have been turning more and more red. Other than the plants, this trip was pretty uneventful compared to the others, since there weren't as many animals that I could find (I exclude gnats from that category because they are always there). BUT, not to worry, I found 1 (that I wasn't already acquainted with.. sorry kitty)! I found a bee or hornet, whatever it was- I saw it and took my chance to snap a picture! As for the things I felt, besides anticipation because fall is coming finally, I felt the sun radiantly on my arms, the bugs of course (they love me, but it isn't mutual), and of course my cat and dog who accompanied me! Overall, it was a really nice day to do this and I am glad I had the opportunity! I cant wait for the next one.

Changes Since Last Visit: I saw a lot of new things, but I more so saw the absence of other things that used to be there. There was no frog this time, or water skeeters much to my disappointment. There were less colorful flowers, and shrubbery lining the creek. Speaking of that, the spiky shrubs on the bank of the creek have been turning more and more of a brownish-red each time I come back. The trees have also started changing... just barely. It sure was nice out but it was noticeably colder out this time round. There was a woodpecker this time, and some other birdcalls I hadn't heard last time. There were also, thankfully, less bugs in general, at least that were bugging me (no pun intended). Lastly, even though this is a temporary change, there were no clouds in the sky! I looked all around and I couldn't spot even a trace of one; which is interesting because yesterday there was nothing but clouds in the sky! We're starting to see all the sings of the transition into fall, and I couldn't be more excited.

Photos!

a wide shot, which took too long to get right

maybe this used to be colorful?

I see these every year, I wonder
what they are...

a sure sign of fall!

a bee.. or hornet?
I never know the difference
(edit: this is a paper wasp!)

pink AND yellow? pick a side!

more Queen Anne's lace

these pretty purple flowers were
still here to my surprise

a close-up...

hard to see, but there was
a swarm of gnats; what a nuisance  

I had company this time! They made up
for the lack of other critters out

luigi says hi ☺︎

a photo of me! Finally...

lastly, this same angle again.
(this is turning out to be one of my same spots!)

EXTRA:

This isn't part of my field study
per-say, but a photo of yesterday's sky
for comparison to today