TREE FOLLOWING - August 2015

It's time to share this months photos. There are a few small changes. First,

THE LONDON PLANE....

Each month I check out this ivy. I remembered it being quite tall and thought it would be higher by now.  So I looked back.

 

This was the ivy in April....

 

And in January...

 

I had not noticed that it had been cut back in between.  My attention must have been drawn to other things. And that explains why it hasn't reached the height I expected. I know this tree is managed and cared for, so it is no surprise.  I wonder when it will be cut back again?

The leaves make a lovely silhouette against the sky.

Sadly the horse chestnut that grows next to the London Plane and intertwines branches has developed a disease on the leaves.  Luckily my tree looks healthy. So far. Perhaps this disease is specific to the horse chestnut?

 

You can see the violet leaves in the grass and around the base of the tree. There are no flowers of any kind this month.

But look up and you can see pendulous seeds. You can't see flowers but according to Wikipedia they are hidden inside:

'The flowers are borne in one to three (most often two) dense spherical inflorescences on a pendulous stem, with male and female flowers on separate stems. The fruit matures in about 6 months, to 2–3 cm diameter, and comprises a dense spherical cluster of achenes with numerous stiff hairs which aid wind dispersal; the cluster breaks up slowly over the winter to release the numerous 2–3 mm seeds'.

 I remember seeing the  empty shell in January:

 

 

 

 THE OAK...

While I have been away the field has been cut...

 

and cleared.  Just stubble remains.  And the dead branch.

 
But new shoots still emerge...

And baby spiders wait their time....

There are clusters of acorns, of different colours and size...

A bit like this lichen really.....

 

Thank you for popping by.  I am linking in with Lucy over at Loose and Leafy. 

I'M GOING ON AN OWL HUNT......

I'm going on an owl hunt..... I'm not scared!     
 

  No! I was excited!! 

                                                                                   
But let me backtrack for a moment.  Did I tell you that I stayed with my blog friend Bernice in Birmingham?  Well, I went for a 3 day book course and did so much more. You see, on our first day we walked from the station to The Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) and came across this little fellow: 

Well not so little really.... this is one of the large owls that are currently forming a trail across the city and beyond. It is called
The Big Hoot and after taking photos Bernice and I decided it would be fun to find others.  And so we did!  A few were too far but I think we did really well finding 54 large and 4 small owls in the short time that we had. 

What's more, I was given a personal sight-seeing tour (thank you Bernice!) and despite being a native to the city, Bernice also
discovered parts she has not seen.  We also learnt that these community projects really bring people together.  We chatted to others as we took photos, gave our maps to those who needed them more, and got into conversation on the train with people who heard us talking about the owl trail. 

As an avid photographer I don't need any excuse to get my camera out my bag (ask any of my friends - right Bernice?!) but it is even more fun when there is a challenge and fun to be had.  So, do you have time to come with me? My invitation is for the armchair version, but if you are visiting or live nearby I do suggest you check the real thing out.  Or see if there are trails near you.  I understand there are dragons to be found in Norwich, sheep in Bristol.... but in Birmingham, there are owls.  Lots of them.... so this post is photo heavy, but it is easier on the feet than the real trail so I hope you can stay the course!  Are you sitting comfortably?

The owls all began like this:

And now they look like this:

 

I loved how some of the owls reflected their location, with design taken from buildings and their surrounding.  And we also enjoyed some of the names:

One Giant Hoot for Owlkind
Twit Choo-Choo
Hootankhamoon
Owl-livia
Re-Tail
FreeRadiOwl
Florence Nightin'owl
and my favourite Tea T-owl

There were more owl photos, more stories. But for now it's time to take a break.  I'm sure you need it as much as I do, if you are still with me of course! And if you are - a huge thank you!!  Your company is appreciated, as are your comments. I have my favourites owls, which are yours? And if you have done a trail or have one near you do let me know.  I may want to visit!
I still have more to share about my time in Birmingham and will be back again soon, meantime, thanks for stopping by!