Campus Blossoms Beautifully to Life
Author: The Crusader Staff Writer Jennifer Johanson
It’s absolutely no secret that Belmont Abbey boasts one of the most picturesque campuses a college could hope to have. As the seasons turn from winter to spring, the students and staff of Belmont Abbey College will be able to see their home campus at its most beautiful as it comes to life with a lavish display of flora and fauna and truly be given a wonderful treat for any outdoor excursions. With spring’s (perhaps early) arrival, our campus bursts into a floral feast for the eyes; it and the warm weather prompting more and more students to do their work outside rather than cooped up in their dorms.
To examine what Belmont Abbey’s outdoor sections have to offer this time of year, two freshmen, Lucy Flood and Ava Biance, sit down for an interview regarding their experience with the campus. Already, they enjoy studying outside up to twice a week, their personal recommended spot being Abbey Lane in the evening, and the anticipation only builds further for when more flowers accompany the daffodils and lilies of the valley. Ava states, “It’s very serene, very quiet.” Of course, as exquisite as the landscape is on its own, it is not complete without its share of fauna. The Abbey is home to a wide variety of creatures.
Many species of birds, from hawks to crows to mockingbirds and sparrows, can be seen on campus, and on occasion you can catch a heron in flight heading towards the lake not too far away. It’s not uncommon to see the odd lizard or skink here as well, or even a snake! Be wary, however, during winter: copperheads like to hibernate beneath the stairs near the Holy Grounds cafe.
Insects are plentiful as well, and while most commonly you can see a shield bug or bees and wasps or on lucky occasions a mantis, there is a pleasant array of moths and butterflies who come to visit: tiger and black swallowtails grace the blooming bushes during the spring, and I myself was once fortunate enough to come across a large, healthy Polyphemus moth caterpillar specimen. Meanwhile, in the pond by the registrar’s office, you can see some tadpoles and minnows and sometimes hear some frogs chirping, and by night hear the symphony of the tree frogs.
Mammals, however, often draw the eye of the passerby, to which the Abbey hosts a vast variety of as well. Chipmunks, squirrels, rabbits, and of course the famous Belmont Abbey cats. They’re feral and a bit shy, but they highly appreciate it when you feed them and will come running to you if you do it regularly. Once they trust you enough, you can even see their social lives unfold, and they prove to be very entertaining characters. Each are affectionately nicknamed by students as well. “I love the cats” says Ava, when asked about her favorite animal on the campus. “I was gonna say squirrels,” Lucy replies. “I like how endearing they are. They come up to me, they’re really daring, very bold. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Get your cameras and your phones ready: both for the increased activity in wildlife in the days to come, and as the trees and bushes flourish with flowers. Perhaps bring a blanket and some lunch, too, if you wish to turn study time into a picnic after the fact — just be sure to clean up after yourself so we can keep the campus beautiful! With that in mind: happy studying, and enjoy the lovely scenery the Abbey has to offer!
This article was originally posted in the Spring 2024, Issue 2 of The Crusader Newspaper. Download the full issue here.
