I promised you a nature post...

[rubyelf]

So here is is... these are pictures from my walk yesterday. I think it was yesterday. I had class today and it fried my brain a little. There's still not much going on as far as flowers or leaves, but I did find some pink acorns...

Comments

[monkiainen]

Definitely two different kind of plants on those photos, you win.

[rubyelf]

I usually do. :)

[ragnarok_08]

Yes, these pictures are just amazing, especially the ones with the birds.

[silvan_lady]

The maple flowers are beautiful!

[rubyelf]

I am always happy to see them.

[vjezkova]

Different plants! :-)
Well, the catskin should be from European aspen, I saw one today but the catskins were lying under the tree already.
Am I glad your osprey family is back all right and I also liked tree swallow.
Coltsfoot is usually one of the very first blooming plants here. It is a highly appreciated herb and it is in various herbal teas.
Thank you for the photos!

[rubyelf]

It could certainly be an aspen. I am not good at identifying trees, and the bark of birches looks somewhat like aspens.

Tree swallows are pretty with their metallic blue color, and they are very bold. They think they're quite terrifying and are not afraid to swoop down and peck people.

The first European settlers to America obviously thought very highly of coltsfoot, as they brought it with them and it has been here quite some time. What do they call it in other places, I wonder?

[vjezkova]

Well, swallows of all kinds are very brave "folk", aren´t they?:-)
Coltsfoot is called "podběl" here - something like "white under" - which is actually true because the leaves are white and velvety on the other side.

[rubyelf]

I have no idea why it's called coltsfoot here. No part of it looks like a colt's foot!

[nimnod]

They're NOT the same plant. Look at the veining on the leaves.

[rubyelf]

I TOLD him that. They never listen.