12.31.07 SURPRISE VISIT

All the folks in the hollow were watching the sky as a small red helicopter buzzed overhead, slowly settling lower over our homes and gardens. One of the neighbor's sons is learning to be a helicopter pilot. He thought he would fly over and give all of the visiting holiday family and friends a ride on the beautiful warm afternoon.

06.12.2007 HELICOPTER SEEDS

The maples are famous for their helicopter seeds, but another of my favorites is the American Linden tree, Tilia americana. It makes some big one winged-helicopters with round seeds suspended below. Here they are coming in to bloom. This tree is the source of basswood, which I recently discovered is an excellent wood for making woodcut prints. The tree is also called "Lime Tree" eventhough it has no relation to the citrus trees at all.

03.11.2007 CONFIRMATION

No doubts now. Spring is officially here. The red maples are blooming. Perhaps you didn't know that red maples have flowers? Well here they are...tiny beautiful red flowers. In a short time they will have been pollinated by all of the emerging insects and then turn into the first "helicopter" seeds of the year. The air fills with the tiny red toys in celebration.

Postscript: I am happy to report that on a drive this afternoon I finally hear spring's peepers! The tiny frogs of spring. Often in the past I have heard them in February. Late this year or have I just been in the wrong places?