Exploring Geography in Glendale, California - Essay Sample

Introduction

The geographical area that I conducted my study is Glendale, California, which is within my street in the front yard and the space spreading to my neighborhood. Additional information included in my field study journal is cloud formation from my view, weather conditions, atmosphere and landscape according to different days in the study week. I was not able to walk as far as to the significant towns, but from my front and back yards, I could observe the significant geographical aspects relevant to the study. As illustrated in my journal, the time for every observation varied from the first week to the last week of the research, and I was able to capture the best photos of the surrounding. Due to the travel restrictions, I made my observations from within my home environment, where I captured several pictures of the front yard, including the simple vegetation distribution and cloud formation. Therefore, I was able to make the following observations in my study for the named period, 13th April through 31st May.

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Week 1

In the first week, I conducted my study on Tuesday 14th April at noon in the front yard of my house. In this area, right from the front door, I notice there are flowers nourishing and grass well-trimmed in a parking lot. The city is generally clear, and the sun is overhead shining bright on the vegetation. My area of concern in this first week is the pavement in the parking lot where there are grass and flowers. As I look carefully at the grass, it provides an ideal lawn because it has been given the best excellent growing conditions. It is green, well-trimmed and secured with block pavements that prevent any driveways in the lot. The type of grass growing in the lot presented in the photograph is Kentucky blue. Ultimately, the grass growing on the lot is a reflection of the real care it has been given, and it presents a lush, very dense and durable lawn that is worth its reputation (Anderson). Unlike the tall fescue, the traditional Kentucky grass has shallow roots that ultimately do not tolerate drought and high temperatures. Thus, it is the reason why some grass in the background of the photo has dried up, and if there is a limited water supply, the grass may entirely dry out (Ryen, 22).

The other major area of concern in the week’s study was the flowers growing in the pavement. The flowers are a family of bougainvillea type, which is evergreen with thorny stems. I notice that the flowers require water supply after more than four hours of exposure to direct sunlight for its active growth process. I wonder where the Kentucky grass originated because it is not typically from its bluegrass state. Both the flowers and grass grow under strict weather conditions, and the characteristics of the area do not fully conform to the requirements. Following the Glendale area’s climate, May is cited as an average month with a moderate atmosphere. On the other hand, the weather has been unpredictable, exposing the grass and flowers captured in the picture to direct sunlight, but fortunately, there has been a thorough watering process. Thus, it reminds me of the previous season of February when the weather was wet, and the grass had flourished, revealing the blue-green color.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: Mariposa Glendale, CA 91205 USA

Week 2

In the second week, my study was on Monday, 20th, April between 8.00 and 10.00 am at the front yard. The main concern in this field study was the general vegetation growing at the roadside and, most importantly, the trees. I noticed that in the Glendale city, various trees grow naturally and nourish very well with little human effort. For instance, as illustrated in the photo below, the tree presented is a California live oak at its maturing age. I noticed that the California live oak, mainly known as Quercus Agrifolia, is the most common tree in most towns in Glendale. I wonder where the difference comes in when identifying the canyon live oak because the spiny-toothed (spinose) leaves of the two trees are entirely similar. The tree has many branches from the same trunk which appear contorted, gnarled and massive, especially when it is old enough. I notice that the leaves are dark-green with a convex shape, long, broad, and the margin is spinose.

Scientifically, the outer layer of the leaves has at least two layers of photosynthetic cells that assist in maximum sunlight absorption. The tree produces fruits (acorns) in spring, and the fruits are usually slender red-brown with their basal enclosed in cupules. From far, other species of the Quercus Agrifolia tree are seen but with a deeper color, indicating that the tree has a much denser color in its young ages. Thus, it reminds me of the stumps present in other places of the city, which suggest that the Quercus Agrifolia trees have the most substantial trunks and can still survive for a more extended period. However, there is usually the assumption that the type of trees captured in the photo grows only in the dry forested areas, where there is little water supply. As evident from the picture, there is a calm atmosphere to support the well-being of the tree. There is a fallacy that the types of trees that grow in dry areas cannot do well in the wet areas due to differences in atmospheric temperatures (Ryen). Additionally, with the convex leaf shape, the interior leaves that depend on reflected light can get enough photosynthesis.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 2: Mariposa Glendale, CA 91205 USA

Week 3

My study in the third week was on Wednesday, 29th, April at 1.00 pm in the street. I was able to take a photo of the parking lot in the street outside my house, where cars are parked in the evening. I noticed that the trees growing at the parking zone provide shade for the vehicles. From my observation, I identified a few trees that grow in the pavements which offer protection of the cars from direct sunlight during the day. Again the Quercus agrifolia is pictured in the photo providing shade in the roadway. Due to its widespread branches, the tree can accommodate a few cars, but in my case, the tree is still young so that it can provide shade for fewer cars. The pavements in the streets are designed to protect the vegetation in the background by building pavement blocks that prohibit the parking of vehicles inside the grassy areas. From a candid look at the pavement, the slot where the grass is planted has been slightly lowered to ensure that water drains easily from the roadways during floods.

The parking lots have been raised to a standard height to ensure that there is enough space for the grass and other vegetation to grow with much ease and get enough water in times of heavy rains. Thus, it reminds me of the flood restoration costs that have been reported in Glendale this year. According to the California Department of Water Resources, the total restoration costs in Glendale 2020 have been cited for exceeding $2625 on average every month (Glendale). This situation suggests a need for a well-defined means of creating more refined pathways to allow water drainage, citing that the area is typically on a lower altitude.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 3:Mariposa Glendale, CA 91205 USA

Week 4

On Saturday 9th, May I conducted my study on the cloud formation, atmosphere and weather from outside my house at 4.00 pm. I notice a blue sky from far, which is suggested by the sunny weather in my view. From my investigation, the cloud formation indicated by the state of the air is cirrostratus because there are light, delicate feathery clouds. The clouds are very thin such that they allow sunlight to shine through them with ease. From my view, I notice that the cloud formation is contributed by jet streaks that escaped my capture. The weather aspects that cause the cloud formation named above are low-pressure systems and a higher flow of warm air to the atmosphere. On this date 9th, the weather in the evening was warm with the sun shining clear. The general atmosphere in the area suggests that wind blows from southwards towards the north, especially when there is moderate weather. I wonder what optical effects create the cirrostratus clouds because there should be a practical scientific process. Thus, it reminds me of the phenomenon of rainbow effects produced when the sun appears very low on the horizon. The phenomenon appears in the forms of sundogs and sun pillars when the ice crystals in the clouds due to sunlight reflection. Although it is a rare phenomenon, it is very evident in most of the times when there is a mixture of unpredictable warm cold weather.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 4: Mariposa Glendale, CA 91205 USA

Week 5

My last study was on Tuesday, 12th, May and I observed the landscape in my area at 2.00 pm. As presented in the photo below, the city is flat land that appears to be even from all sides of view, although I captured the area in a slanting form. As I looked over the Glendale city from outside my house, there are hilly areas which suggest that the area where I live is at a low level. I noticed that despite being at a low level, there is a moderate atmosphere which makes it comfortable to live without being exposed to irrational high temperatures. I observe again that the area is strategic for farming because it is not so exposed to erosion or flooding during heavy rains. The growth of different seasonal trees in the area again suggests that there is sufficient and nutritious soil structure that can effectively support crop farming (city council). I wonder whether the landscape in my area is fit for the survival of most of the extinct species of trees in California. The area I live in suggests a serene environment that can support a wide variety of plants, as identified from the photos presented.

Due to travel restrictions across the American state, I could not access most of the areas in Glendale city, but instead, I captured all photos from the outside of my house, and the reference is cited from the front yard of the house. As a result of this, therefore, the roadmap to the location where I made my study is illustrated below.

Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 5 :Mariposa Glendale, CA 91205 USA Street Map

Thus, in conclusion, I conduct my study at noon in the front yard of my house, where I notice nourishing flowers and grass well-trimmed in a parking lot. The area is generally clear, and the sun is overhead shining bright on the vegetation. The main concern in this field journal was to study the general plant growing at the roadside and, most importantly, the trees. I noticed that in the Glendale city, various trees grow naturally and nourish very well with little human effort. The streets pavements are designed for protecting the vegetation in the background by building pavement blocks that prohibit the parking of vehicles inside the grassy areas. There is a blue sky from far, which is suggested by the sunny weather from my view, and there is a moderate atmosphere which makes it comfortable to live without being exposed to irrational high temperatures. However, I wonder whether the landscape in my area can adequately support the survival of most of the extinct species of trees in California.

Works Cited

Anderson, Martin. Texas AgriLife Extension Service. "Kentucky Bluegrass". Aggie Horticulture. 2020.

"City Council". City of Glendale, CA. Retrieved November 2, 2014.

"Glendale". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved October 22, 2014

Ryen, Dag. "What Makes Kentucky's Bluegrass Blue". The New York Times. p. 22. Retrieved 2018-06-15.