black locust

Over the years, this blog has revealed to me phenomena in the natural world that I have either never seen before or phenomena that I have seen, but forgotten about. It seems that every year when the shad trees blossom in early spring, I feel that it is our one and only flowering tree here in the cold and frozen Northeast. This just isn't true. Shad trees, wild cherry, viburnum, and the now flowering black locust all make a beautiful appearance here at some point as things warm up. While we may not have the variety of a region such as the Mid-Atlantic states, we do have our share.
The black locust tree may have the most beautiful blossoms of all of them. I was talking about them yesterday with a friend of mine, and he said that the wood of a black locust is very hard, that it is often used for railroad ties.
The black locust is really a scraggly looking tree for most of the year. It has a very shaggy bark, and a bottom-heavy, unappealing shape. Their blossoms, however, are delicate and beautiful. It's almost hard to believe that such a beautiful blossom could come from such an ugly looking tree. It reminds me a little of our sugar maple trees. Many of the old ones look rough, weather-beaten, and gnarled. It seems incongruous that such specimens could produce such heavenly ambrosia in the form of maple syrup.

Kayaks on Subarus

Spears of asparagus hiding under the rhubarb. Kayaks on Subarus. Viburnum appearing. These beautiful trees grow all over Vermont, but look like something cultivated in a Japanese garden.

American goldfinch

google photos

Goldfinches appearing. They are one of the high energy birds, like chickadees. I understand that they are around all year long but the males only display their bright yellow color during the summer breeding season. They breed late in the summer and feast on thistles at that time.

Indian Paintbrush

Orange hawkweed appearing. In 1972, Allyn and I spent the winter together working in the Mt. Snow area. We stayed throughout the summer there in a cabin in the woods. Growing up in California, I was totally unprepared for the profusion of wildflowers. The first one to catch my eye was the orange hawkweed, also known as Indian Paintbrush in some circles. I remember it like it was yesterday. In some ways that might have been the start of what has become this blog. 

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Clarkie

Happy Birthday to you!

neighbor

The other day I was looking out the kitchen window which on many occasions has been my portal into the natural world. I noticed a tree in the back that was much whiter than the others. I didn't know what it was and pulled out the binoculars to take a look. It was a wild cherry tree in full bloom, a big one. We've lived here for over 35 years and as far as I can remember I've never noticed it before. Blossoms hanging down, like an ivory chandelier.

I consider myself an observer of the natural world. Either I had never noticed this beautiful tree before, or I had seen it, and forgotten about it. Neither a good thing. I went out to get a closer look, and take a few photos. Heraclitus said that nature loves to hide and that's true. Once the blinders come off, however, that which had previously been invisible now seems to be everywhere. I saw three other large wild cherry trees in full bloom nearby in the forest in the back.

Our surroundings, whether it's in our back yard, or in the night sky,  can seem like a part of our neighborhood. Seeing the previously unseen can provide an uplifting, orienting effect. Like being introduced to a friendly neighbor whom you've never met. Good to meet you.

Let your eyes remain empty of interpretation.
Mooji
Zen page-a-day calendar

Columbine

Had to cut up and dispose of an old tree that had fallen on our lawn. Since I was driving in the back field, I took the opportunity to head to the big rock in the back where the Columbine live. After all, now is their time in the sun. A couple of days later I was walking the property with the person who taps the sugar maple trees on our land. He has lived in the area all his life. We walked by some Columbine, and I pointed it out to him. He didn't know what it was.