Crazy 8

If you didn't get enough of dry, gray, gnarled trees yesterday, here is more for you. Though, this caught our eye because it looks like the tree grew in the shape of the number 8. You can see it on Hwy 92, off Santa Fe Ave, as if you were heading toward Blend and took a left. You know, by the old animal shelter.
What do you see?

There is Still a spot of Color Out There

Obvious in mid -January of this unusually warm and dry winter, we spotted this tree on the west side of the river, proudly sporting dots of color amongst all the lesser dressed bushes.

A Knotty Idea

Come on guys, get your mind out of the gutter! Ha Ha!
I don't know how many times a week I pass this tree.
It stands out to me every time I pass. See the knots and curves of the branches? What do they look like to you? Anything? To me, they remind of Italian or Moroccan tiles that are popular in the design world. Of course, they are broken up and overlapping, rather than on a floor, but tiles none-the-less. So much so that I wanted to share this first photo with you, so remember this tree when I do another post to illustrate a sorta how art imitates life thing.  What do you see in your everyday world?

Music Tree

The music tree, found of Washington Ave. doesn't look half bad with sparkles from CD's that have been strategically placed throughout it's branches to ward off garden predators.

The gentleman that tends to this garden calls this his "Music Tree". He has come up with a brilliant  idea of discreetly hanging CD's on a string from the branches of his fruit trees. Not only do the CD's gently spin, their motion scarring off birds looking for a snack, they cast a reflection on the ground as well that makes it look as if another predatory critter is hiding under the plants.  We are told he has done this for years, and that it really works at keeping his fruit trees and garden protected from birds and squirrels alike!

Itch Bomb

Actually, that was just a nickname we gave these "flowers" from what we think might be a London Plane Tree (according to our leaf ap!). They are a frequent sight in yards and parks this time of year. They break apart into feathery fibrous little strands and when we were young, we used to think they made us itch. In hindsight, it could have been the endless hours of playing in the grass and sun. Either way, they are curious little balls, and quite picturesque. Good for displaying in a jar, stepping on to see the inside on a walk or great ammo for an itch bomb war. Careful though, they kinda hurt! Read more about the London Plane Tree here.

Up-Rooted

Winds were so strong they up-rooted this tree causing passer-bys to do a double take. Photo by"T"!

Colorado Blue Spruce

Colorado's official state tree, the Blue Spruce.
This giant is a perfect specimen of the spruces mentioned to be in the aboretum.
Its close to 3 stories tall and aprox. 30 feet wide.- off Carlile Ave.

The inspiration for today's photo was this past weekend's Chieftain article about a historical arboretum walk in City Park. I was much younger then, but I remember when the tree walk was partially intact. We weren't allowed in the park alone till we were much older, but I remember wandering off from time to time, playing or chasing after our escapee dog "Blackie" and stopping to read the markers on, and identifying certain trees - it was all so interesting and romantic to a young mind.  I believe it was that, combined with my dad's frequent reciting of the Joyce Kilmer poem "Trees" that sparked, and passed on his love of nature to me.  I even dedicated a big science project to both the poem and trees, and its a fascination that continues to this day.  We here at PPAD wish Pat McCracken all the luck in updating the brochure for this walk and can't wait to see the finished project.  To see the article click here. To read the Joyce Kilmer poem "I think that I shall never see..." click here