random photo post

[urbpan]

I wrote the other day that the callery pear trees look nice right now. When I was researching them for the 365 project I often found them described as 'overused.' That may be so, but in April when we are so starved for the beauty of life, you can't fault those who planted the trees along city streets.



Strangely, this row of callery pears in Jamaica Plain seemed more beautiful than the row above in Brookline, until I saw the photographs.


Out the window of my office I can do some birding. This was the best photo out of a dozen I shot of the white-throated sparrows.


The grackles, which until a few weeks ago were absent, are now ubiquitous.


And for a change of pace, a home picture. Charlie loves Rebecca.

Comments

[heavenscalyx.livejournal.com]

I walked out of the office to get lunch today and said to my companion, "Ahhhh, the reek of the pear trees. It's springtime in Belmont!!"

[nutmeg.livejournal.com]

Well... there are some native spring flowering woodies that might have been nicer.

Also, ones that don't split in half when they get ice jammed, and don't give me terrible allergy attacks.

I agree they are pretty, but they are moderately invasive around here and support 0 insect biomass. Multiflora rose smells LOVELY when it's in bloom.

I'm sorry it's so bleak.

[bellelvsbeast.livejournal.com]

I think those are beautiful trees...and those birds are so cute. I love the name "Grackle" I could say it all day. They have intense eyes...
AWWWW Charlie is a cutie...:)

[harrietbrown.livejournal.com]

Leafy green treeeeeeeezzzzz ...

[momomom.livejournal.com]

Here if a field is left to succession growth it will be overtaken with callery pears.

[elainetyger.livejournal.com]

Beautiful trees. Birds, too. I saw the first grackles of the year this morning.

[bunrab.livejournal.com]

The Baltimore Sun just had an article about the Bradford pears which are so common here - another of the very similar varieties of ornamental pear. It was discussing how they've actually been rather a problem - they're pretty, they grow fast, they have a compact habit - but they also have only a lifespan of about 40 years, 50 at most, and as soon as they start getting old, they lose limbs at the slightest wind or bump. Which means that every spring, all the ones that are mature start dropping large branches on top of cars and even the occasional pedestrian, any time there is wind or rain - which is most days. And many of the ones along city streets were planted in the 60's, soon after the USDA developed the Bradford variety - so they are ALL sorta old. (They also reproduce like weeds - every highway shoulder and exit ramp, every parking lot for a shopping center, has them.)

The cherry trees live much longer, and are much sturdier.