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| Tree in front of elementary school |
I walk by the Birchwood Elementary School when I head out for a trip to the bus, or to my favorite hiking trails in the neighborhood. I noticed this tree has developed long dangly things, and since it's only January, I figure they must not be those seed pods that give my nose such trouble in the springtime. But after looking online, I cannot tell what they might be. I am such a neophyte when it comes to identifying the wonderful flora and fauna of the Pacific Northwest.
One of the only things I know about trees around here is that there are deciduous trees (like this one, which loses its leaves in the fall) and evergreens, which keep their needles year round. I know the shape of maple and oak leaves when I see them on the ground underneath a tree, but I am embarrassed to say that's about it. Although I enjoy seeing the trees as they change during the seasons, I am really not very well versed on the differences between them. I'm sure there are plenty of my readers who can enlighten me, so I won't spend a lot of time googling.
Speaking of googling, I just read that the husband of the missing Massachusetts mother was asking Google how to dispose of a body. That served to remind me that all of my internet searches can be easily seen by those authorities who might be wondering why I am trying to research "long dangly things hanging from trees." Nothing online is safe from the prying eyes of the Law. That's a good thing, if you ask me, but then again I don't think I have to worry about my search history. Just a reminder to all those of you out there who forget we are not in a bubble but are completely exposed to the world by our phones, laptops, and other connected devices.
My weather app has warned me that this lovely weather will not last, and some of the atmospheric river that is inundating California at the moment will be sending lots of rain to us, too. Just in time for my Thursday hike, it looks like. Fortunately I'll be ready to walk in it, even if it won't be my favorite thing to do, I'll probably manage to enjoy at least some of the day. As some wag once said, "there is no bad weather, just bad clothing." Although looking at the pictures of central California today, I think if I lived there, I'd stay inside.
:-)
You are well equipped for sure, Jan. Hope you will be able to enjoy your hike this week!
ReplyDelete"There is no bad weather, just bad clothing"?? DJan, you would've fit right in with the Lewis & Clark Expedition! I almost had to chuckle at your google tip... some years back when I was still working, my co-worker Mike C & I made a pact to go into the other's home and wipe their computer clean, whoever went first. But I'm no longer worried what anyone would find on mine. :^)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting tree!
ReplyDeleteSometimes VERY bad clothing.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your hike.
I am smiling at what your research into your tree would show - and wondering about some of mine.
I don't know many names of trees and plants outside, either. Only a smattering of them. I wanted to see the forest and not each tree. That is what I very sincerely told my biology teacher in high school--who let me clean rodent cages during class instead. And I cleaned rodent cages while everyone else dissected the frogs, too. He made me come out and look when they were done--and it freaked me out because they were splayed open but still alive and breathing and their hearts were beating--awk! Back then they pithed the frogs--kind of spiked them down their spine to paralyze them!! You can see why I refused and cleaned cages instead. I played with rats and mice while they tortured the frogs. Thank goodness Mr. Burton was a kind man...who didn't like to clean rodent cages. LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteIf you really want to get to the nitty gritty of things try identification of Insects? or one celled creatures? But I'm with you . I'd like to be able to identify more critters.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure what your tree is< I may think on it a bit and come up with a guess!
ReplyDeleteWhat a laugh! Hope you aren't investigated for researching long dangly things hanging from trees. Linda in Kansas
ReplyDeleteI had to laugh at your googling worry. I tend to google things that I hear about, but don't know what it is or means... so there could be some strange googlings on my lap top or phone. And I couldn't see the things hanging from the tree well enough to even guess what they might be. We have Catalpa trees here with long dangling seeds...
ReplyDeleteTaking a hint from the name of the school, that might be a birch tree and birch trees have catkins. Yes, catkins are those long dangly things that ate the trees flowers, and yes, they do have pollen. It does seem too early for them to be bloomed out though, so it could be something else. I can't tell from the photo.
ReplyDeleteAs for weather, today is a good day and I have been outside. Tomorrow is a rainy day and I will be inside. I'm a fair weather person.
I know about as much as you when it comes to trees — oak, maple, deciduous, coniferous. Like you we are about to get whether — a snow storm in our case.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter from Seattle just returned from her visit here. It was too hot for them at the beginning and then they loved it, going to the beach every morning. My son from California is also visiting and will return on Saturday - to decent weather, I hope. I suppose having a brief vacation in different weather conditions is quite nice, but there's no place like home. Hot or cold.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are constantly warning me about what I put online. I did take my blog off the web crawler in the settings so I hope that helps.
ReplyDelete