Diario de danii_s

10/25/22
Journal 3
Time: Wednesday, October 26th at 4:53-6:10
Temperature: 49-51F
Weather: Cloudy with a gray overcast
Upon entering Yesler Swamp I already see a lot of visible leaf fall. The air seems crisper. Some
of the plant species are changing leaf color, more than last week. The leaf color ranged from
green, to yellow, to bright burnt orange. I noticed an uptick in the presence of crows both visibly
and I could hear their calls. Deeper in my area I couldn’t really hear any other birds besides
crows and once some geese passing by. On the water area there were some ducks but not as
many as previous visits. I didn’t see the usual family of turtles that perch on the water pipe but
there were some ducks over in that area. I believe one of the species to be the Mallard because
the head was a dark hunter green with a yellow beak and had a stripe of white in the middle of
its neck, the rest of its body was a mix between white and black. I noticed there were some
Himalayan Blackberries that did have some berries still on the branch. I could tell it was the
Himalayan blackberry because of the berries, the stems have thorns all over them, and the
leaves have ridges on them. The soil in my 1 meter area was moister than previous visits.The
Reed canary grass seemed like it was still tall but someone had rolled around all over them.
Growing with the Reed canary grass was thicker grass species the shape of the individual
blades remind me of aloe but not nearly as thick as aloe is. I think the plant species is American
Sweet-flag.There was a plant species that was green and resembled a bigger version of parsley
or cilantro. I believe it could be a type of Geranium because of how deeply serrated the leaf
pattern is. There are some plants that I have seen that have red berries but they sort of dangle
off of the stem, the leaves are varying in size. I think it could be a Bittersweet nightshade.
Species that I identified as changing leaf shades were Snowberry, Osoberry, and red
huckleberry. Some cattails down closer to the water are starting to become almost cotton
ball-like. At the entrance of Yesler Swamp is mainly dead plant species but there were some
that are hanging on such as the Chicory. However, some of the wild carrot plants are beginning
to die off. Overall, in my area I notice the lack of flowers but it is getting deeper into Autumn.
(Image above of spatial scale of chosen spot 50 so. Meters broad scale)
(Image of above is the spatial scale of the chosen area of 1 sq. Meter closescale)
While surveying my area for invertebrates I found mosquito (Culex), yellowjackets (Vespula
alascensis), ants (Formicidae), flies (Muscoidea), and dragonflies (Odonata). I followed the
Yellowjacket around it and mainly flew around the boardwalk area and paid close attention to
the wooden railing. Upon closer inspection there were a couple of yellowjackets around the
railing when I looked over the side. I could definitely hear the buzz of the yellowjacket, the
location was located close to the water. There was one that flew semi close to me before diving
over the wooden railing. When putting my book down I counted around three yellow jackets over
the railing and were crawling more so in the crevice of where the two wooden planks met. The
dragonfly I observed flew overhead and perched for a moment onto a leaf of a Willow tree. It
then got up and flew over to the other side of the wooden board to walk more towards the
canary reed grass. I could slightly hear the noise it makes. Another dragonfly met up with the
one I was observing. They both looked the same color so it’s possible it was the same species. I
tried to follow them for longer but dragonflies fly off really fast. Both dragonflies weren’t in the
location for long but were kind of close to one another and they both flew off. I tried to observe it
eating an insect but wasn’t able to.
(Sketch of yellow jacket and dragonfly)
(Photo of third invertebrate a mosquito located on wood in center)
Who am I?
How do I Flee?
Do I skim the water?
Do I hover over the tree? Or the leaf?
I shimmer like a fairy
I contrast with blue and black
I’m eye catching and vibrant
My body is spotted to a resemblance of glass
I whirr by out of sight
I was there for a moment then vanished
(I wrote the above poem about the dragonfly.)
The wind shakes the chimes of the trees
A Raven calls in the distance
My boots thump on the boardwalk
Thump,thump,thump to my next destination
The wood creaks like a door opening
Through the twists and turns
Into the darkness I arrive,
The pit of the swamp
Where the birds sing
The reeds wave

11/1/22
Journal 4
Location: Yesler Swamp - 3501 NE 41st Street, Seattle, WA 98195
Time: Tuesday, November 1st at 2:43-4:15
Temperature: 47-48F
Weather: Sunny small amount of clouds
Upon entering my field site a multitude of grass species have already died off. The main plant species staying alive in the front entrance of the field site and possibly growing seems to be the Chicory and the Himalayan Blackberries.Compared to my last visit I did not hear the calls of Crows I did see like one or two. A Willow plant near the entrance appears to have grown because it reached more into the walking trail. I was able to identify Wood Sorrel, the green clover-like plant growing underneath a thicker part of the tree canopy. Snowberry was identifiable because of its white berries and its Yogos-like shape and the small oval leaves. I did notice that in a Vine Maple plant, the lobed leaves were changing color some were a yellow/red shade. A couple of red huckleberry plants I noticed had lost a serious amount of leaves.I only saw one out of the usual four turtles laying on the pipe. It could be that some of them have migrated. I noticed around five squirrels that were running around in the treetops. One of them ran up a tree with an acorn so, I imagine they are preparing for winter and stashing acorns. There were the usual ducks across the water somewhere diving for food. One species I saw was a dabbling duck with a gray body; the tail was black and a little section with white. I did not see the upper-half of its body, so it could be a Gadwall or a similar species. I was able to identify an Ocean Spray plant because of the dead hanging flowers that are now brown and resemble the motion of a waterfall and the alternate leafing with grooves in them. I believe I stumbled upon a very young Oregon Ash tree mainly because of the shaping and the look of the compound leaves.This tree species did also appear to be changing leaf color as some were more yellow and others were green, some leaves on the bottom were brown spotted and appeared to be dying off. The dirt in my one meter area did appear to have some moisture in it was a little darker than the first site visit. A tree close to the area has a fungus that has a dark top that has been growing larger on the tree trunk. The Western Red Cedar doesn’t seem to have changed much. I heard the bird calls of one that sounded like a really high pitched yappy dog and one that sounded like the gear wheels of a plastic toy moving. I wasn’t able to visibly see these birds.

I ventured further out into the field site near the back where all the tall trees were. I spotted an American Robin. It was I’d say, a medium sized bird that most noticeably had an orange underbelly. Its eyes had a patch of white below and above the eye the body was a dark gray color. I spotted the American Robin up perched in a tree branch surveying the other birds flying around. Down by the water I thought a duck was walking closer and got excited. However, when I got closer the body was a little too skinny to look like the average duck and its beak was too skinny. The body pattern was similar to the brown body portion of the female mallard duck. The feet were skinny and it reminded me of chicken feet. I believe the bird was a Virginia Rail. The Virginia Rail was walking around on the land area underneath some shrubbery and was pecking at the ground. It swam up to the land, shrub overhead and started walking around. I didn’t see it fly around. I spotted a brown bird near the forest floor perched on the shrubs but wouldn’t really fly long distances and it was sending warning calls. It had a brown body striped with white on the chest. Streaks/stripes on the head and smaller bird. I believe the bird is a Song Sparrow. I identified a Red-naped sapsucker due to the red patch at the top of its head and the black body with white down the back. I could tell it was a woodpecker because it was jabbing at the tree bark but I only caught a small glimpse before it flew off.
I observed the American Robin I first spotted perched on a branch close to the ground but was apart of a bush. The bird then flew around eight feet to an area that was by a stairwell. Another smaller brown bird flew in the vicinity and the American Bird took off to the bottom of a rock wall. At the bottom of the rock wall the American Robin spotted clumps of debris near the road ledge. It began to peck at the leaves for a couple of minutes. It would pick up the leaf, I’m assuming it was in search of food. Each leaf would be tossed to the side. It saw me I was about ten feet away and it didn't seem phased by me. It decided to take off over a cleared area and into the area full of tall trees it flew a straight pattern. It perched up into the tree at about twenty feet maybe it wasn’t the highest up in the canopy but it was up further than when I first observed the bird. It was perched up on the branch and was looking around at the other small birds that were flying by. Its call was a high pitch. The pitch would sort of go up and down.

(Image above of spatial scale of chosen spot 50 sq. Meters broad scale)

(Image above is the spatial scale of the chosen area 1sq. Meter closescale)

(Image above of American Robin perched on road)

(Image above of sketch of American Robin, observed bird pecking at leaves)

(Image above of sketch of Song Sparrow perched on a Reed Canary grass consuming wheat germ)

Location: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: 100 Brown Farm Rd NE, Olympia, WA 98516. Flaming Geyser State Park: 23700 SE Flaming Geyser Rd, Auburn, WA 98092
Time: Tuesday, November 1st at 2:43-4:15
Temperature: 48-56F
Weather: No precipitation, cloudy overcast

In the flat grass area of the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, we observed a sickly-looking Coyote with what could be Mange. Horsetail ferns, Willow trees, Snowberry, and Red alder were along this grassy area aligning the path. Conifer Roundhead mushroom was found growing near a Bigleaf maple tree. A giant flock of Cackling geese could be seen and heard, with their call being high-pitched. The Coyote could be seen stalking the flock of Cackling geese but was not successful with catching any. At a tree area with Bigleaf maples with lots of fallen leaves and Western redcedar, there was a section where Pacific tree frogs were visible underneath the trees among the fallen leaves; their size is around a half dollar. Their call is like a rah-rah call. Within this area, a noticeable presence of squirrels and a Hairy woodpecker made a peek-sounding bird call. Overlooking at the wetlands where the water meets the shore, the shore is lined with snags, which could be an indication of the Nisqually river delta meeting up with the Puget Sound water. Reed Canary grass and Himalayan blackberries could be seen. Mallards, Pintail ducks, Greater White Fronted Geese, and Widgeons could be seen by the water.
Along the trail, many Isabella Tiger Moths were most noticeable by their black and burnt orange appearance. An American Kestrel is perched on a branch of a Douglas fir tree. A Northern Flicker could be seen perched in a snag. The Riparian river edge at the front of the Refuge could be characterized by Black cottonwood, grasses, wheat, and cattails. The lake from the meandering river had dragonflies, Bracken fern, blackberries, grasses, cattails, Willow trees, and Red alder.
Further down the path near the boardwalk, species such as Queen Anne’s Laces and Western bleeding heart, a noticeable presence of dabbling birds, could be seen, like the Gadwall. Most interestingly, within the Flaming Geyser National Park, methane concentrate is leaking and can be lit aflame. The area is an essential habitat for salmon and many other fish species. The site had more moss visibly growing and Wood sorrel. The water had high sulfur contents, enough that you could smell it. Underneath the entrance bridge, mussels were found and are an indicator species of good water quality because they can filter the water. The side channel tributaries are essential for fish, especially spawning salmon. During the 1970s, tribal members were paid by the government to remove wooden debris from waterways, which was thought to be beneficial to the fish, resulting in a loss of fish habitat. Warren KingGeorge spoke of how the land had changed before the installation of the city of Tacoma, taking water from the lower plains covered in grasses that used to be a part of the river bank. I would say around 5 meters + was where once was the river bank and shows how much the river has receded.

Image above contains a Great Blue Heron standing in the river.

I wonder why there were two Peregrine falcons perched in this snag.

Image above shows a Pacific tree frog found underneath a Bigleaf Maple and Western redcedar.

I noticed that it was common to see the Isabella Tiger Moths along this path. Is this an ideal habitat?

Sketch above is of Nisqually Wildlife Refuge wetlands where the Coast and Puget Sound meet. The wetland was full of birds and snags for habitat.

Image above is of Riparian river area near the front of the Refuge.

Upon entering my chosen site there was light, crisp wind. The air smelled like cucumber in some parts and others smelled like gasoline. Towards the front the only plant still surviving seemed to be the Snowberry. The Chicory that has consistently stayed alive is now dying, the blue/purple flowers have died off. The Willow trees close to the boardwalk have mostly changed leaf color to yellow with dark spots. There were a couple squirrels throughout running along the tree canopy. Reed canary grass seems to be dying. Horsetails in the area seem to be losing their green color and fading. At least one Red Alder tree seems to have fallen over. On a Willow tree closer to the water there is evidence of a beaver, with teeth marks ingrained into the tree bark. On the waterfront I was able to identify Bufflehead from their black and white face. Along with female hooded mergansers as I took notice of their brown mohawks. Within the Snowberry I saw two Black-capped chickadees. Its body was round, its underbelly was white and the back and head was brown. Just above the eye was a white stripe. Its tail was around the same size as the body and has a crimped pattern. Both were outside the shrub and then when they saw me, they flew into the shrub and moved around within the shrub. Their call was a chickadee chickadee deee deee sound. Within my site there seemed to be more organic litter on the ground than my last visit. I only saw one of the possible four Western pond turtles sunbathing on the pipe in the water. I could hear a Mallard duck in the water making a wack wack sound. Towards the back of the stand a Douglas fir appears to have grown bigger since I’ve last taken notice of it. Where I take my 1 sq. meter photo it appears there is more fungi growing in the area. I did notice a different shrub species in the area. It had compound green leafing and had berries that were blue that were covered in a layer of dust. Further off in an area with taller trees, I believe red alders I could hear the Spotted Towhee with a dreee dreee sound and the Song sparrow a twi twi twii call sound. Near a beaked Hazelnut shrub I saw another shrub that was almost like Oceanspray. However, the flower part was still alive with a white color; it almost resembled a Dandelion when it’s ready to spread its seeds.

In image 3 I believe the fungi is a Mycena galopus or a milking bonnet. I had a hard time identifying this fungus as it is small. I later asked Ed Dominguez for help identifying this species. I found this species growing underneath a tree. There was a fair amount of organic litter with mulch and dead leaves. There were around eight of these fungi underneath a Amelanchier x grandiflora (serviceberry) tree. Upon further inspection underneath the cap were light colored gills that were not tightly bound. The area did not appear to be wet. However, the shade the tree provides and the mulch in the surrounding area can hold onto moisture. In image 4 Phellinus igniarius or willow bracket was growing on a willow tree. I know this species feeds on the host tree so it would make sense why I would see multiple growing along this tree.There were around seven fungi growing on this tree. One growing at the bottom of the tree was horse hoof-like. Others grew towards the middle of the tree with the cap or top portion being dark, almost a burnt appearance and the underside was a white shade with small spores. I tried pulling it off the tree but I couldn’t as the fungus was really tough. In image 5 Parmelia sulcata or wax paper lichen is growing on a tree with moss. This lichen was found growing on a Red alder tree in an area with plenty of organic litter, mainly dead, decaying leaves. I would describe this lichen as foliose. The color in the center was white and its edges were a pale green. Its overall appearance reminded me of paint chips. In image 6 is a sketch of Hypogymnia physodes or tube lichen that I found growing on the bark and branches of a Birch tree. It is a pale green almost white color with a black underside. The appearance is similar to bleached coral. The area was moist and wasn’t in direct sunlight. It was towards the back of my site. In image 7 Trametes versicolor or Turkey tail had the appearance of individual pine cone seeds. The edges were white and towards the center was a brown shade. I found this species growing on a log along with moss. The area was surrounded with dead leaves allowing for some moisture. In image 8 the sketch is of Fomitopsis pinicola or a red-belted polypore was shaped like a clam but was not as symmetrical. It had an ombre like effect with the top a black color lower was an orange rusty band followed by a white band. I found it on a Douglas fir towards the back of the stand where, less direct sunlight is so, I imagine there is more moisture in this area. Image 9 I am focusing on the Chrysothrix candelaris or the Gold dust lichen found growing on tree bark by the sidewalk. The location isn’t the moistest area and is in direct sunlight for some hours during the day.

(Image above of spatial scale of chosen spot 50 sq. meters broad scale)

(Image above is the spatial scale of chosen area 1 sq. Meter closescale)

(Image 3 Mycena galopus found near Yesler Swamp underneath a tree).

(Image 4 above is multiple Phellinus igniariusm growing from tree bark)

(Image 5 is of Parmelia sulcata was found growing with moss on tree bark)

(Image 6 above is Hypogymnia physodes found on a birch tree growing on the branches and the bark)

(Image 7 Trametes versicolor found growing on a log)

(Image 8 above is a sketch of Fomitopsis pinicola found growing on a Douglas fir)

(Image 9 above is Chrysothrix candelaris growing on a tree bark)