Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Danger tree

At the back of our parking lot at work there are some dangerous trees, at least that is what my friend says. The tree in the middle has been dead for a couple of years. So my friend will not park on that row anymore because she thinks that tree will come crashing down on her car one day. She may be right.

My calculations tell me that it would not hit a car with much force. Only the top branches would reach the car. But you never know. I park one row closer to the building just incase.

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Spring pink

The flowering trees provide more color to the springtime.

My understanding is that this is the type of tree to select if you suffer from allergies. Flowering tress are pollinated by bees and flying insects. Trees that do not have obvious flowers rely on the wind to do their pollination, and therefore need to fill the air with lots of nose irritating pollen to insure fertilization.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Give peace a chance

So rusted, it's hard to see.

Back when I was a young man (40 years ago) a lot of people talked about peace. You saw the symbol all over the place. We had that hand gesture (if you make that gesture now people think you are a nerd). Sure the Vietnam war had a lot to do with it, but it really was the hippie generation thing... live and let live. Don't judge me... I won't judge you.

Today we have 2 wars going on, and even the US congress wages war across the isle. You might see an occasional small and mostly unnoticed demonstration, but there is not much talk of peace.

And that is a shame. Can't we be friends?

No more rust.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Outstanding in the field

Or should I say, Out standing in the field?

This grand tree is conspicuously standing in the middle of a farmers field, surrounded by what I suppose is spring green manure.

I wonder why this singular wood has been retained. But then I imagine the hot summer days to come. Welcoming shade could provide a few minutes of refuge from the hot sun for the hard working plowman.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Reflecting pond

Shades of color deverge from the horizon, enveloped in smokey gray. Spring brings vital April showers, to quench the reborn day.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Snowy blossoms, indigo sky

Another springtime report from Western New York.

The season's floral display continues as the ornamental trees explode with fluffy blooms in response to warmer temperatures and longer, sunnier days.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Yellow too

Green is the star of spring, but not the only player.

Forsythia shows its unique yellow color before any green appears on the plant. The flowers of the forsythia produce lactose (milk sugar) which is most unusual. There is hardly any other natural source of lactose other than what is contained in milk.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Spring green

There is something magical about the fresh arrival of green in the spring. I always feel the need to soak it in because it does not last long. I love summer green too, but it is not the same as spring green.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

No, that's not snow

Shrink wrapped boats.

It is a relatively new way to protect a boat from the long cold winter months. It is cheaper than inside storage. Keeps out the snow and rain. Protects from UV damage. Creates a strange photograph.

Disclosure: I did selectively modify the contrast of the photo to create the look, but not much.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Progress

Three days after the last post and the tree buds have already transformed into a whole new look.  We have had some unusually warm weather for Easter week.  This may have contributed to the rapid change.