Tag Archives: willows

Toadflax and Spindletrees

by sicloot Posted on July 2, 2013

On our Friday walk around Jamaica Pond, we came across both a plant and a tree in flower. The plant, yellow toadfloax (Linaria vulgaris), has a spike of yellow flowers with orange centers.

Orange and yellow toadflax flowers
Yellow toadflax

Continue reading →

Posted in Nature | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Toadflax and Spindletrees

Peace at the Pond

by sicloot Posted on April 15, 2013

On this tragic day, when senseless acts of violence have hurt so many, I am grateful for the places of peace in our city. Jamaica Pond is one of those places, an oasis of peace and calm amidst the chaos of the day. We walked its shores, sirens continually wailing along the Jamaica Way as emergency vehicles rushed downtown.

Boathouse and willow
Jamaica Pond boathouse and a willow tree.

Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Nature | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Peace at the Pond

Birding in the Public Garden

by sicloot Posted on February 19, 2013

Cold and windy, yesterday was not the best day to visit the Boston Public Garden. But the sky was clear, and visitors were sliding along the ice on the lagoon.

A few birds were out. The usual suspects such as the rock pigeons, starlings, robins, and house sparrows. But I also managed to see a blue jay and this red-tailed hawk.

Soaring red-tailed hawk
A juvenile red-tailed hawk, yet to develop the characteristic red tail-feathers.

The blue jay was flitting about on a weeping willow that had a hole running clear through one of its branches. I wonder what creature made that happen.

A weeping willow branch with a hole in it
Eye of the Willow
Posted in Nature | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Birding in the Public Garden