Return to normalcy

Aug. 24 3:30PM

This week is the quiet before the storm, sort of. Classes start next week so this week campus is still somewhat in the quiet summer mode, but ramping up each day. It also seems like summer is starting to wane a bit, though I suspect this is a temporary feeling. While we're still in the middle of the calendar summer, daily temperatures have dropped a little this week and even some leaves are starting to yellow, perhaps a premature sign of changing seasons or more likely a sign of other stresses. Other evidence suggests that we're closer to the height of the season. There's a constant din of insects and the ebb & flow of cicadas buzzing, the official sound of summer in my mind. I've been seeing more cicada bodies and discarded exoskeletons around and am looking forward to 2021 and the emergence of the Brood X of the 17-year cicadas.

After the record rains of a month ago, it looks like the mandala has returned to some sense of normalcy though not without some changes. A few big trees in the area came down, creating new bridges over the stream and new canopy gaps too. Recent weather has been fairly typical of Augusts with generally hot and humid days and occasional rains, sometimes storms. The mandala still carries evidence of its flooding in softer-than-usual mud, the deer and racoon tracks are easy to find and follow. The understory has rebounded, is upright and turgid again, though not as lush . This appearance may largely be driven by the senescence of the formerly abundant skunk cabbage. The forest floor is more noticeable now, old leaves are plastered to the soil surface with a thin layer of sparkly sediment glued to its surface. I don't see signs of the forest floor community but surely it's here and active, right? The flooding couldn't have vanquished the entire, usually resilient, community. In front of me are several spicebush seedlings/saplings. Of course, I collect a leaf, crush it in my fingers, and inhale its fragrance.

Raccoon tracks

Summer mandala

Trail camera captures near the mandala