We all know that I do not know much about trees. Let me take a stab at this one and venture that it might be a Red Leaf Maple? But of course, I am up for any corrections ;’-). I was surprised to find this one last tree on my ride today. Now I will … Continue reading "One more Tree for August"
Well in a few hours it’ll be spring here (1st Sept). So here’s my mixed challenge entry ‘Spring back in line’ with Lemon Scented Gum trees at Kings Park near the city, each one has a plaque for fallen soldiers in front of it.
Last day of August! I’ve just got time for one last challenge post before closing the book. This one has lots of trees, but I featured the skeleton of a dying Sycamore maple out of respect. The post as a whole though might interest both tree and quest fans, because it’s the first stage of … Continue reading "August Challenge: the Portland Heritage Tree Quest"
Just a reminder that there are still a few days left in August, so there’s time left to share with us that favorite tree you’ve been procrastinating on. For those impatient types or folks that like to think ahead a bit though (we’re looking at you, Suzanne), here’s the challenge for September. This month’s theme … Continue reading "Challenge of the Month: September, 2019"
There are still a few days left in the month, but I think this will be the last tree for me in the August challenge. I’ve been reminded that it’s time to come up with a new theme, and I’m a pretty poor multitasker. One thing at a time, that’s my motto. Today’s tree, a … Continue reading "August challenge: American Elm"
I don’t know what kind of tree it is, but it is kind of a landmark here. It’s been standing for many years and I hope it stays for a while longer. I think it’s beautiful and it’s certainly going to be a good subject to photograph in autumn and winter, too. As for Day … Continue reading "A Tree for All Seasons"
Shot from a ride in the nearby woods, I never get tired of pictures of trees. On Day 3 of our ride along the Inn I write: I am surprised and happy to see that my clothes have dried overnight. We have no scary adventures today. The route is one of the less remarkable sections … Continue reading "More Trees and Day Three"
Larch, pine, spruce, yew, fir? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to identify the conifers although I usually recognize one as an evergreen when I see it. This one is a ??? Took the picture on the second day of our trip, in the meadows of the Isar. Since I am sure you want … Continue reading "A Tree and Day Two"
I cycled past this Blue Gum then turned and went back. The Blue Gum flowers are a critical food source for the endangered Swift Parrot. The Swift Parrots come across to Tasmania (from mainland Australia) in Spring to breed and, on arrival, have to seek the flowering trees. Blue Gums don’t flower every year – … Continue reading "Blue Gum. Eucalyptus Globulus"
Actually, I think it’s probably a lodgepole pine. With its many arms though, it reminds me of Kali, the Hindu goddess with ten arms. It doesn’t look like it would be much use for making lodgepoles either, does it? We saw this lovely specimen yesterday on our ride to Chinook Landing, a spot on the … Continue reading "August challenge: the Kali pine"
Raleigh at the entrance to the park The park is named for Kennekuk known as the Kickapoo Prophet — medicine man and spiritual leader — he lived most of his life in East Central Illinois along the Vermilion River From Vermilion County Conservation District: Founded in 1974, Kennekuk County Park is 3000 acres in size … Continue reading "Kennekuk Cove County Park"
Well we hope it is…….sure does seem to fly by lately. One day I think of doing something and then before I know it two/three weeks have passed. Again we’ve been out and about on our bikes a lot……sometimes together and sometimes separate. I have to admit with my now 3 (yes 3 part time … Continue reading "Time Is On My Side………."
The guys and I got out for a ride last Saturday and got a few pics for the August Challenge of very common trees in our area. However, I neglected to get a picture of the bike at any time, so we didn’t quite follow the rules. See that ride HERE. To make up for that, … Continue reading "Not quite following the rules"
Silvery Russian Olive Russian Olive still at the shrub phase Sweetgum Redbud @ former residence 🙁 Crimson Maple — beautiful bright red in the fall Wild Cherry Northern Red Oak — Maple on the right Oak Leaves Sumac in the foreground Unidentified Evergreen Close up of needles — a cultivar of Scotch Pine or Fir? … Continue reading "August Challenge #10"
Now that Greg has returned from his successful bicycle tour, I thought I should welcome him home with a photo of one of his favorite subjects. Greetings from the land of many porta-potties! (Photo taken at the start-finish line for tomorrow’s Santa Rosa marathon.)
We saw this giant linden tree when passing through Iffeldorf on a day outing. It seems to be competing with the church steeple. When in blossom these trees can be almost overwhelmingly pungent. And now for the link – FIRST DAY OF OUR BICYCLE TOUR is now up, including a video. But not by me. … Continue reading "A Linden Tree and a Link"
Raleigh at KBS Railroad The 6th Annual River to Rail ride is slated for September 7th Colleague Dave and I plan to ride again this year — 32 mile route — there is also a 50 and 62 mile route. We decided to do a loop east of town through Cheneyville as a little prep. … Continue reading "Ride to Cheneyville, Illinois"
We’re staying this week in Irvington, one of Portland’s inner east side neighborhoods. It feels a bit like living in an Arboretum, with a great diversity of mature trees – there must be fifty different species here, often grouped in short rows along parking strips, each block featuring a different tree than the one before. … Continue reading "August challenge: the trees of Irvington"
Say hello to Gija, It’s a boab tree that was transported over 3000kms south from around Derby in the far north of Western Australia to Kings Park near the city. No one is sure how Boabs ever came here from Madagascar or Africa and I’m sure it doesn’t like the cold mornings but seems to … Continue reading "A Boab Tree far from home"
I know that others (Rich) have posted this tree, but I could not resist stopping for it yesterday. I was with twelve close friends on a leisurely ride and cannot often stop for photos on a group ride. But I was sweep for this part or the ride and knew I would have no problem … Continue reading "I Stopped to See The Weeping Willow…"
Spruce Trees near a drainage ditch Appropriately named the “Stink Ditch” it once conducted waste water from the vegetable canneries to the North Fork — and yes it did deserve its name At one time, the ditch ran as an open waterway half way through town to the waste water treatment plant. Later, the section … Continue reading "August Challenge #9"
The Sitka Spruce is a pretty amazing tree. Previously we had a look at the largest known Sitka Spruce in the world, soaring nearly two hundred feet into the sky. Today’s featured image is a much smaller example, but nearly as remarkable. The Kalaloch Tree of Life ekes out its precarious existence on the wild … Continue reading "August challenge: the Kalaloch Tree of Life"
It’s some kind of pine tree, I think. Or maybe it’s a spruce. Or a fir. Or a cedar. I’m pretty sure it’s an ever-blellow tree of some kind. I admit I’m not a botanist, I’m a cyclist. To me, it’s a big Christmas Tree.
I logged in this morning to see how the monthly challenge is going. Well, it took ages to read everyone’s posts; Subject: Trees. A very popular challenge it seems and a very interesting one. Today I add another Eucalyptus …… sorry, not sure of type. When I cycle out of Longford, this road is one … Continue reading "A Simple Gum Tree"
Two Horsechestnut trees Horsechestnut leaves Black Poplar Trees? Closer look at the bark Interesting how smoother bark grades into coarse bark toward the base Black Walnut Trees Silver Maple Banner year for maple seeds this spring, millions, if not billions, of them all over town They fly down in a spinning motion and have earned … Continue reading "August Challenge #8"
As I have wandered around on a few rides this week I snapped a few more trees. Of course I am not sure of any names for them! This first one looks somewhat ghostly. It is not a dying tree, and I THINK the second photo is of a more filled out tree of the … Continue reading "Some More Trees"
I intended to ride rough trails through Hood Mountain Regional Park today. When I saw the forecast for the interior hills—far from the ocean’s cooling influence—predicted a high around 105° F, I altered my plans. Even with an early start, too hot to struggle up the long, steep climbs in that rugged, sun-drenched terrain. Read … Continue reading "Heatwave"
What’s a better pastime when you are supposed to be packing for your bicycle trip than to run around with your camera? I dislike packing so getting a picture of this wonderful tree was a welcome escape. Here’s the lowdown on the fagus sylvatica pendula, or weeping European beech, from Wikipedia: The weeping beech is … Continue reading "The Weeping European Beech"
Are you a cyclist who would like to see more options for cycling in the lovely Yosemite? If so, consider giving your input and opinion during the comment period (and/or attending one of the upcoming meetings!) because in 2021 Glacier Point Road in YNP will be closed (estimated 2 years maybe!) for rehabilitation. What about … Continue reading "Yosemite National Park Glacier Point Road Rehab"
Catalpa Tree Looking at Dave’s post of the Indian Bean tree, the resemblance to this Catalpa is striking. And so it should be: Probably not the exact same species but very closely related, From TreesDirect UK “Common Name: Indian Bean tree Latin Name: Catalpa bignoniodes Aurea” Catalpa Seed Pods Magnolia Beautiful when they … Continue reading "August Challenge #7"
My friend won a free pass for the Gorge Pedal, a fund-raiser for Columbia River Gorge after the 2018 Gorge fire. You can see the burned maples and maybe some alders, too, behind us as we pose on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The good news is that a lot of trees are … Continue reading "Columbia River Gorge Burnt Trees"
I’ve been loving everyone’s trees! So sorry that I haven’t been able to keep up with commenting. It’s a great topic and I do love trees, even if I don’t hug them. Here is one of my favorites, a European beech if I’m not mistaken. All the pictures are of the same tree, from different … Continue reading "Portrait of a European Beech"
Sunday 11th August, Thought it was about time I went out with the camera, I don’t seem to have posted anything for a few weeks. I took this photo of a willow tree outside of the School of Art in Sunningwell just before Christmas last year. This is the same tree now, though from a … Continue reading "TWO TREES"
Scooter wrote: “Since there’s no bike though, I think you owe us just a bit more, is there a Joshua Tree to be found?” I won’t have a chance to visit any Joshua trees during this month’s challenge, but I can offer this, which some might remember, from earlier in the year when I was … Continue reading "Yucca brevifolia"
Sunday, August 11, 2019 I went on a toodle around the Stanford campus today and came across this delightful coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) right next to the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital. The hospital was recently rebuilt, but thankfully they left this beauty in place. I love that a limb that was sunk into the … Continue reading "Challenged Oak"
We’re pretty busy at the moment and working through a blog backlog. We’ve been circling Olympic National Park for the last four days, and parts of it are remote enough that there is little or no network service. If I’m going to add to the backlog and go to the bother of putting up a … Continue reading "August challenge: a very big tree"
Weeping Willow Weeping Mulberry Small tree to the left is an Alberta Spruce Japanese Beetle riddled Linden to the right Some sort of Willow? Ride Photo Supplier of electricity to the rural areas Black Walnut Trees Husking them will stain you! (photo from the web) Tree in a truck revisited Deceased Spruce Photo from … Continue reading "August Challenge #6 / Ride"
Bristlecone pines. Per rules, this might be cheating — no bike in photos — so I didn’t flag it as challenge of the month. But I figured no one else would have an opportunity to post this species. Top photo from a combined biking and hiking expedition to Death Valley and Telescope Peak last year. … Continue reading "Pinus longaeva"
I have been way to busy!! Even though with fun stuff and things of choice, still way too busy. But I do have a few trees to post. As I have mentioned, I know nothing about trees other than I love them! So I don’t have names for these in my post, but the photos … Continue reading "Some Trees"
Well July was quite a month, which I would rather forget. Alas my father finally lost the fight against dementia and stroke but had a long life and impacted so many people in a positive way. It’s great to see people on this site living life to the fullest, getting out on their bikes and … Continue reading "Monochrome Delayed"
Also known as the California redwood. Several grow in our yard. The Ogre snuggled up to one them this morning. From Wikipedia: Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living species of the genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly treated in Taxodiaceae). Common names include coast redwood, coastal redwood and California redwood. It is an … Continue reading "Sequoia sempervirens"
White Birch Utility pole has a decided lean to it — probably a Southern Pine — Western Red Cedars are used too (doubtful around here) as a pricier option but last longer River Birch At an entry to an A-Frame home along the North Fork at one point — prone to flooding, the house is … Continue reading "August Challenge #5"
The weather stayed fine for an extra day. After this it’s back to cold and wet and I am scheduled for a needle to relieve (I hope) a part-frozen shoulder. This will stop riding for a couple of days. So, on a sunny but cold yesterday, I went for a ride to Bracknell. In the … Continue reading "Another acacia – the Blackwood"
I’ve been out on a bike tour, but don’t think I’m not aware of what’s going on in the Cycle365 world. I know about this month’s challenge and I’ve been reading your posts. Riding, keeping up my journal, remoteness, and poor wi-fi have been my excuses for not commenting on all of your trees. I’m … Continue reading "TWO TREES FROM MY TOUR"
I live about a kilometre from the Murray River – Australia’s most iconic river. Combined with the Darling River, they drain 1/3 of Australia. The Murray-Darling Basin is Australia’s main food bowl and the centre of considerable controversy over its management. Growing along that iconic river are the river red gums. These trees can grow … Continue reading "August Challenge: Eucalyptus camaldulensis"
Chinese Siberian Elm A fast growing tree, these were planted by the thousands in the 1950’s when Dutch Elm disease ravaged the American Elms. Not a highly revered tree, but there are lots of them Relatively weak — note the scar where a limb has broken off From Wikipedia: “Many nurserymen and foresters mistakenly refer … Continue reading "August Challenge #4"
Native to California and Oregon, one found it’s way to Longford, Tasmania. I cycle past this one any day I ride the Brompton to the shops – a couple of times a week to get papers and milk for Latte making. It’s looking it’s best at the moment. Also known as Silktassle Bush, you can … Continue reading "This one is a Garrya Elliptica"
At 14,252 feet in elevation, White Mountain Peak in the White Mountains is the third highest summit in California. A long, rough, unpaved road (requiring four-wheel drive and high clearance) leads up from the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest visitor center several thousand feet to the University of California’s Barcroft Research Station at 12,470 feet. Normally … Continue reading "Bikes on White Mountain"
Here’s another of my favorite trees, and characteristic of our region. We’ll be further into the Olympic rain forest in a few days and will undoubtedly see some truly massive ones – they can grow to over 200 feet tall and live over a thousand years – but this one we saw at the Purple … Continue reading "August challenge: western red cedar"
Sunday, August 4, 2019 After a lovely few days in fog-bound Monterey, I went northeast to visit a friend in the city of Davis which is in the frying pan that is the Central Valley. My friend Stacy is new to the city so a little ride around town was a fun exploration for both … Continue reading "A Day in Davis"
Thursday, August 1, and Friday, August 2, 2019 The wife and I had a few days off at the beginning of August so we headed to where we usually go on days off: to the sea. We went to Monterey this time and of course alerted other Cycle 365 regulars of our plans. Luckily Jack … Continue reading "Couple of Days in Monterey"
Honey Locust Seed pods will turn dark brown and fall to the ground Ginkgo tree Said to be a living fossil — evidence of them 270 million years ago Round clusters of Ginkgo seed pods When ripe they fall to the ground and the odor (stench) from them is horrendous In the fall, a Ginkgo … Continue reading "August Challenge #3"
Hackberry view east Hackberry view west White (Silver) Poplar Not considered a good tree to plant Here is why — it is extremely invasive — dozens of sprouts surround the poplar stump as well as the living tree White Poplar showing bark and dark green upper side of leaves and silvery white underside Bald Cypress … Continue reading "August Challenge #2"
What a nice surprise a quick email to say “hey let’s go for a ride”. We met the Goddess and BJ at the coffee shop at Asilomar, chatted for awhile to catch up and then off we went. I’m taking advantage of the relaxed rules this month and including some of … Continue reading "A Little Visit From Our Favorite Goddess"
What to say about July? Another month here and gone. We got two overnight rides in, testing to see how fit are we this summer. Nothing sensational, but still fit to ride with paniers and sleep in guest house beds. As we get older, the problem isn’t necessarily the pedaling itself… More HERE with pictures
We saw this great tree in La Conner, a small historical riverside village north of Seattle. I think it’s a California Black Oak, but am not positive. It’s a bit north of its primary range, but everything else looks right to me. The tree grows up to 120 feet tall, with a characteristic shape … Continue reading "August challenge: California Black Oak"
That is an ash tree which has been infected by the Emerald Ash Borer — among over 150+ trees counted all over town, and that’s just on city property The ash borer larvae live just under the bark and chew through the channels feeding the limbs of the tree causing them to die This tree … Continue reading "August Challenge"