The other day I saw an advertisement for a 2022 calendar with a picture of sandhill cranes and the title of Phenology. Being clueless about that word’s meaning, I immediately looked it up. Here is the definition:
Phenology is principally concerned with the dates of occurrence of natural events in their annual cycle. Phenology is nature’s calendar- when cherry trees bloom, when a robin builds its nest and when leaves turn color in the fall.
I had to smile when reading this definition. Although I was completely unaware of the word, I’ve been completely involved with phenology for the past fourteen years. Every morning I write one or two sentences about something I have observed in the natural world from the previous day. The idea for this journal came to me after reading about someone in the 1800s keeping daily nature notes for decades. The practice is a gentle reminder to live with nature instead of being oblivious to the great show swirling around us every day.
This morning’s entry was brief but major: “First frost in the meadow last night, but the marigolds are still with us.” Other recent observations note that the chipmunks are still up and active, fewer cardinals are in the yard and a beautiful buck has been dining in the Tooley Cafe.
After discovering the word phenology, I became curious about its origins. The word “phenology” is from the Greek “phainomai” which means “to appear, to bring into view.” The word was coined in 1849 by a Belgian botanist, Charles Morren. He gave the name to what people have been doing since ancient times, being acutely aware of seasonal occurrences. It was necessary for survival. If they planted their crops too early or late, they starved. If they ignored the annual rise of spring waters, they lost their homes or lives.
The same is true today. Global climate change is playing havoc with nature’s clocks. Animals have to adapt quickly to the new patterns to stay alive. This applies to us as well. Since all of us are in the animal group (although many kids often insist this is not true when I mention it in my natural science programs) we will have to make many changes as well.
In nature, as in our personal lives, timing is everything. Here is how nature’s time clock is ticking in our neighborhood now.
At first I thought you meant phrenology!!!
Mary, how interesting. And what wonderful photos.
You would like that new picture-book, “Time Is a Flower.”
Mary, your observations are so true.