 |
| Winter, Andes New York |
Last night a raccoon joined the rabbits at the flower pot--it's a peaceable kingdom around here. Despite the fact that a pinecone was the symbol on business cards, etc. for Country Weekend the store (and is now a convenient avatar) I didn't realize that they are a regular source of food for birds and squirrels until I read Bernd Heinrich's Winter World.
"...while spruce cones stay long on the trees, the seeds fall out of them as the cones dry and the bracts curl out." He describes chickadees hopping about fresh snow eating spruce seeds, nuthatches picking them out of the cones on the trees, and squirrel chewed cones under the trees. He does this in great detail, counting how many seeds per cone (80) and when and how a squirrel decides to attack or discard one. (Far too long for a blog post, it involves how full of seeds a cone must be to make prying apart the bracts worthwhile.) He then investigates the seeds of balsam firs. I do love a passionate naturalist.
 |
| Winter, Naples Florida |
A year ago, I was in Florida. Now I'm in snow-covered Massachusetts, but yesterday it was 40 degrees, almost balmy--I drove with the window open. The little girls who live across the street are riding their scooters in the driveway. With the time change this weekend we get an extra hour of light, and that will make all the difference.
If you are more interested in fashion than pinecones you will enjoy this short Bill Cunningham video where he describes a trend of dusky pastels in winter wear--he calls them sweet pea colors. More about Bill Cunningham here.
Enjoy your weekend!
Jen
The extra hour will make a lot of difference. We have to wait another week here for this to happen. In the meantime the sun is out and I am sitting in the garden! Yes, it has finally happened - spring has sprung! Xx
ReplyDeleteI think the light means more to me than the warmth. It hasn't quite sprung here yet, but I'm beginning to believe that it will happen.
DeleteI love fashion but of course don't have the money to buy it and so enjoy watching instead. Actually, I don't know that I could justify spending much money on clothes if I did have it. It would be so nice to see pastels come to Portland because I am so tired of black everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI love the way Bill Cunningham puts together a theme and illustrates with his wonderful street photos. He rides around NY on a bicycle. He makes it fun.
DeleteHello Jen:
ReplyDeleteWe found what you write here of pine cones, which possibly we might think of as fir cones, to be most intriguing. One learns something all of the time.
It's amazing how much I don't know, even about things that interest me.
DeleteIndeed the wild animals love the seeds from the cones.. but not just the wild animals or birds.. people too. I always have a bottle full of the pine cone seeds. They are a very expensive commodity.. They give a bite, added to certain recipies..and of course ideal to serve like peanuts.. Its the nuts that keep the squirrels pretty full during their winter hibernation.
ReplyDeleteOur weather has changed again here Jen.. I think i would rather be in _florida at the moment. It was so warm yesterday.
nice post. love the pinky colors
Val, I feel so stupid. I use pine nuts sometimes--never thinking about them being a seed. I wonder if that's the same thing you use.
DeleteI think March is always crazy weather.
Hallo dear Jen
ReplyDeleteyes one has to love anyone who is passionate with what they do.
enjoy a lovely sunday
Demie, I am loving your art these days. The beet theme is such fun.
DeleteJen..The blue and pink trend is a nice change. I enjoy Bill Cunningham even though my Southern fashion is far from NYC! I pulled out my yellow twill jacket last week on a rainy day...needed a bit of bright! Our little bushy-tailed friends do an excellent job of stripping the nuts from pine cones...leave just a shredded stem. Enjoy your extra hour of daylight...Susan
ReplyDeleteI have an orange quilted jacket that I've worn for years and get lots of positive comments on. I think people sometimes like color more than they know.
DeleteJen, I really enjoyed the video. I love fashion so the video was very fun for me to watch. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHe's on the NYT every Sunday and you should check out his archives too.
DeleteMy PC doesn't allow me to connect the video, but I like the last photo very much.
ReplyDeleteSweet peas are almost mingled with the pastel colors of back ground.
I'm sorry you can't see it. Part of it was about how the dusty pale pastels (sweet pea colors) are influenced by the colors Asian women wear.
DeleteThe picture was done by a friend of mine (pastels).
Alas....we mustn't get too used to the warmer temperatures...snow's a comin!
ReplyDeleteI know. I've been pretty good about the snow this year, but it will be one storm too many!
DeleteI love Bill Cunningham, he's so cute, always enjoyable. I am ambivalent about the time change, yes it's lighter in the evening but I walked Max in pitch black this morning and I hate losing an hour of time.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an early (5 am) riser and feels the way you do. I'm a night person. :)
DeleteBill Cunningham is adorable. If you ever get a chance to see the documentary on him you should watch it.
I tend to be a night person too but unfortunately have to get up and out early for work, ugh!
DeleteI also try pine nuts, ginkgo nuts...Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds or any other kinds are sold as a snack. They are good and some are medicinal but I should be careful not to eat too much but " eat like a bird" :)
ReplyDeleteI've never had ginko nuts, though we had ginkgo trees all around us in Brooklyn. They are very hardy.
DeleteIf the seeds you mention are anything like the pine nuts I know, I want to be a nuthatch.
ReplyDeleteMe too.
Delete