During one of the meetings here at the office, I saw out the window a twirling leaf fall to the ground. It reminded me of the helicopter maple seeds, but I knew the tree outside is an American Linden. (It's actually one of the biggest/oldest Lindens in the state and the design of the new building is a response to the desire to keep it.) My curiosity aroused, I looked at the falling leaves when I left the meeting and here's what I found:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Ria-VOQW5r03EJPXh-cIAK0M4KBe_lEXETuu0PeK65cuKmre5IOD-6IdcMrtQ-ZW1ZD6ffjPc4gDSbMmscg0LqTHWEtc8Iq3ptY3c819ZTj3Ggy1-ejCHqpWj67uyCRYx7XEw/s400/08-14-09+010.jpg)
The leaf itself is wonderfully developed into a natural helicopter shape, with the seed, as ballast, growing down from the middle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SnHu_dM-cH7zSDvksy8_RkvRlfUW1_tbojgNRL09rZcm52WoptlNGx42G3a8xVD0o5cdm-Ac15sxh_Mr37G_WcmAmxKESr4mxfs2_FOI64Sv6QrToPcAIOTuO1SqQDx-pFlYqw/s400/08-14-09+012.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtuWuW0sl965WiKKkw6kdde1sS0dFZMj4zzzYwlJfOKgs1BbHWa175xJTbJhn8hA58Tk44yufxNLM2Iey_Z_4t_8q4yjDv7prTb_7nKfI_QPzV2f4QdG5AYdW_Nj5mutTqifrow/s400/08-14-09+013.jpg)
The whole tree (note that it is still green - it seems just a few leaf/seeds are falling right now).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw6mw2mFXOWWD1mLnxOUjxLU6RoUptU6WmWNy_ZZ118c8R4fKbPRMM0YB4dUSC9k_AmrYuL2WoZ1LcaboGKPAZq73r9d-Bf7yxLxE8R5LW4PltJeWdFH7yMkty93GKEkNc09czdw/s400/08-14-09+019.jpg)
The curb collects the pale golden curls.
Very cool, isn't it?
4 comments:
That first picture of the 3 leaves on the white background has a distinct modern art feel about it. Quite beautiful.
Neato. :)
And it's always cool to see someone else who stops and notices the little things from nature that most people would just pass by.
Those are so neat! When I saw the first pic, I thought it was a watercolor.
How lovely! I love the little tour of nature that you just gifted to us! :-)
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