Yesterday was a day
of glowering clouds
and pounding rain.
I went on a hunt
for a new camera
to no avail,
and I got to drive
home in lashing rain.
Before the sky
opened up.
<<<
So this morning I dashed
down to Piney Creek
to check on the water levels
with my trusty old camera.
You should have seen
the look
on the camera store
clerk's face
when he saw
how beaten up
my little
Canon PowerShot was.
All the settings
have worn off!
It's had a hard life
tossed into stuffed purses and backpacks
and working in all kinds of weather.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Scream.jpg
I'm always insecure
walking under this old cottonwood
after a storm.
The second tree,
in the middle foreground,
came crashing down ~
over the path ~
during a storm
some years ago.
Park rangers had to cut away
big branches
blocking
the path.
I always think
Will I be able
to run,
if it starts to fall?
This massive
cottonwood,
(of which you
see only
the center portion)
would flatten me like
a train
running over
a penny on a
railroad track.
Do you see
how the
corrugated bark
soaks up
the rain.
Some areas,
less wet and
more sheltered,
are light grey.
You can see
the fallen
cottonwood
in the background.
Splat!
This tree keeled over last night!
When you get a good rain,
temporary ponds form in low areas.
There are berms and catchment basins
along Piney Creek
to control runoff from sudden rains.
I was standing on a large berm
when I took this next picture.
Normally this area is dry.
I have seen much bigger flood ponds
impounded behind this berm.
This old giant has acquired a vibrant coat of green since I stopped by last November!
of glowering clouds
and pounding rain.
I went on a hunt
for a new camera
to no avail,
and I got to drive
home in lashing rain.
Before the sky
opened up.
<<<
So this morning I dashed
down to Piney Creek
to check on the water levels
with my trusty old camera.
the look
on the camera store
clerk's face
when he saw
how beaten up
my little
Canon PowerShot was.
All the settings
have worn off!
It's had a hard life
tossed into stuffed purses and backpacks
and working in all kinds of weather.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Scream.jpg
I'm always insecure
walking under this old cottonwood
after a storm.
The second tree,
in the middle foreground,
came crashing down ~
over the path ~
during a storm
some years ago.
Park rangers had to cut away
big branches
blocking
the path.
I always think
Will I be able
to run,
if it starts to fall?
This massive
cottonwood,
(of which you
see only
the center portion)
would flatten me like
a train
running over
a penny on a
railroad track.
Do you see
how the
corrugated bark
soaks up
the rain.
Some areas,
less wet and
more sheltered,
are light grey.
You can see
the fallen
cottonwood
in the background.
Splat!
This tree keeled over last night!
When you get a good rain,
temporary ponds form in low areas.
There are berms and catchment basins
along Piney Creek
to control runoff from sudden rains.
I was standing on a large berm
when I took this next picture.
Normally this area is dry.
I have seen much bigger flood ponds
impounded behind this berm.
Yes!
The male cottonwoods are beginning to flaunt their catkins!
Cottonwoods are dioecious,
meaning either male or female.
Both sexes flower in the spring
before they produce leaves.
The males flower somewhat before the females.
Both sexes form clusters of flowers in catkins.
These are male catkins.
See their flashy burgundy flowers starting to bloom.
Male Catkins
These are female catkins.
Their green flowers are larger than the male flowers.
Female Catkins
Soon it will be time for cottonwood sex in the park!
More to come!!!
Meanwhile I thought of that cottonwood
I posted on last fall.
Male? Female?
Time to check it out!
I hummock hopped
across the soggy ground
to that tree
I had photographed thoroughly
months ago.
It had toppled over
long before I ever turned up
in this neighborhood.
Sweet little robin
singing its heart out!
Boy or girl?
Can you tell?
The tree ~ not the robin!
This old giant has acquired a vibrant coat of green since I stopped by last November!
Proof positive!
It's a ... !
Boy!
If you wish to see more
of this venerable male
check out my post
I'll keep you posted on
cottonwood shenanigans
in the park!
 |
Proof Positive!
It's a Squirrel!
(on a better squirrel day in the park)
It's my story,
and I'm sticking to it!
|
