The maples are all releasing their seed pods right now. Here in the leading maple syrup producing region in the world (sorry Vermont), maples of every variety are abundant. They were also chosen to line many streets in this city. Oh and it happens to be the emblem on the Canadian flag, remember? Anyway, the seed pods are flying.
They "fly" because as they descend, they float, helicopter style, on the breeze for a while before alighting. They look like one wing ripped off a large butterfly. Residents all around town can be heard cursing these things. I swept a sack of them up off the patio yesterday. It was a bit windy, so I tried to film one of them flittering through the air. That was a joke, try following a floating leaf with the camera. The result is like "from the view of the person having the seizure." I tried to toss them into the air and film, toss and film. Then I ditched the camera. The wind would catch some of them and propel them further in the sky, then down, and back up, little helicopters dancing in the wind. I lost myself in this activity for 15 minutes, shooting the little seed pods into the air and watching them dance. Then I caught the eye of a lady across the street grinning from ear to ear, studying my careless abandon.
Red smarted instantly on my cheeks and I went inside. She caught me!
Today, it makes me smile.
18 comments:
I have two Maple trees in my front yard. First they drop red clusters on everything then those blasted seeds. Then it seems birds must build their nest right over my car.
Nice hand, except for the ring it looks like mine, the lines are the same. Too bad you didn't get a video to share. Sounds like it would make a person dizzy to watch. Have a peaceful Sunday.
More people in the world, young and old, need to spend time, as you did, enjoying nature. Good for you for tossing those maple helicoptors into the air!
I was trying to demonstrate them to our one-year old during a walk yesterday. I think I also put on a show for the neighbors.
When I was a kid, we would toss those helicopter seeds for hours! I really hope the lady was taping you enjoying yourself and posts it on YouTube because I would love to see it!! You probably made her day. I know you made mine!
I love maple seeds so much. What a lovely post.
Like the others, I also spent a lot of time tossing these seed pods around as a kid (Maples were a bit more rare in NM (Vermont, rest easy), though, so they were never a nuisance). When I see the pods today, I still have the urge to do the same. Good for you for acting upon it!
it made me smile too..thanks!
hahaha, when i used to babysit- the kids would split open the seed part- and stick them on their noses and pretend to be pinocchio
Not a lot of maple trees here, nor seeds.
I think the lady was charmed by you.
Hey, what are the callouses on your hand from? Bicycling around the city?
Ha. No maples here, but a cicada smacked me in the head while I was watering.
You know, Torn, this post is just one of the reasons why I really, really like you.
You are so cute, with your American Beauty seed pod efforts. So damn cute I tell you. I think I am feeling a bit seed pod deprived, I can't recall that experience at all as a kid. Does that make me some kind of mutant Canadian or something? hahaha I kill me.
Creative! Crazy! All at the same time. It sounds like a blast.
Jeff beat me to it. But yes, peel open the seed pod part way and the inside is sticky..we used to stick them on our noses, also. What fun. Love your blog. The school-bus yellow on the patio? Not so much.
i used to love these as a kid. i still do as a big kid.
The large lot across the street (which one day will become 5 smaller lots) has many, many maple trees. The street is covered in the seed pods. I remember as a kid tossing the seed pods into the air and watching the helicopter-like decent to the ground. Now I just see a big mess on the street. Thanks for the reminder that something annoying can also be sweet and nostalgic.
Wheeeee!!
i love flying those things! between the maple tree and the hickory tree (which drops a million nuts) in my yard, i never have clean sidewalks.
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