On October 1^st, around 4:00 P.M., I set out again for Tyler House Woods. The weather was cloudy and around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. As I came upon Tyler Woods, I noticed how fresh and cool the air smelt. It was a rejuvenating feeling to breathe in air that felt so clean and soothing, a feeling that cannot always be replicated within the city. It was the smell of autumn. Signs of autumn were also evident in the trees which had finally begun to change color. Right in front of me, as I walked up Tyler Road, was a sugar maple adorned in a gown of bright orange. It was the first tree that had changed color in my site. At the foot of the maple, were also a number of asters in bloom, and next to the asters were the honeysuckle bushes which were still producing their small, red berries.

Walking down Tyler Path, I noticed that there were more bottles today, and I could still smell the faint aroma of beer coming from the bottles. While examining these bottles, I stepped on a log, which crumbled underneath my feet. I again noticed that on the right side of Tyler Path, most of the ground is covered in rotting debris; I noticed the smell of these rotting materials gave off a moist, earthy smell which permeated throughout most of the woods.

Further down the slope, I found a pile of rocks scattered around a few sugar maples. I took out my pocket knife and began to scratch at them to see if I could identify them. The first rock was round and smooth, and my knife left no scratches on its surface. I realized that this rock was quartzite. Looking around, I noticed that there were many samples of quartzite within the area. I moved on to another rock which looked different from the quartzite. I took my pocket knife out again and began to scratch at its surface. This time the knife made an impact. I could now see multiple scratches on the rock’s surface. I also noticed that the rock looked somewhat layered, and, with my knife, I was able to break off small slices. I concluded that this rock was schist.

After examining the pile of rocks, I made my way to Periwinkle Valley. By now, the Periwinkle blossoms were now all gone and just the leaves were left. I did smell a sweet perfume-like smell, like that from a flower. Yet, besides the asters, few flowers were present.

I then walked through the Periwinkle Valley to the Barred Owl Tree. I have not seen the barred owl since my first sighting, but while I was climbing one of the fallen trees near where I saw the owl, I noticed a few droppings within one of the nooks of the tree. Whether these were from the barred owl, the grey squirrels, or the many chipmunks that I see frequently within my site, I cannot be sure. I also have not seen any sign of the woodpecker which has left multiple marks around Tyler Woods.

While jumping down from the tree, I frightened a chipmunk, probably the fifth chipmunk I had seen that day. I then made my way past the Barred Owl Tree to the houses beyond. A sweet smell was coming from the house which smelled something like fabric softener, another reminder of how people have a direct impact on the atmosphere within Tyler Woods.

As I began to leave Tyler Woods I received one more new surprise. Just under the honeysuckle bushes, I saw a small rabbit chewing on the grasses which grew beside the road. It scampered away just as I took a picture. I believe the rabbit had white fur under its tail, making it a cottontail, but I cannot be entirely sure.

An hour after I had arrived, the last thing I heard was the bark of a dog in the distance, and the smells, sounds, and sights of Tyler Woods were left behind.