This week’s trip to Vancouver and Victoria generated a few lovely scenes.
Far-out vista at Jericho Beach
Super-calm bunny focused on the close-in view at Jericho Beach
Serene sunflower at Marche St. George
Leaves in their mid-life transition
The trip generated one inspirational storyline.
Brace yourself, Team: We’re going over the top!
The trip also generated a few questions.
What is that purple flower that looks a lot like a lilac, but doesn’t smell much like one, and is blooming in mid-September besides?
It’s a Buddleja davidii (specific type uncertain), aka butterfly bush, orange-eye butterfly bush, and summer lilac (hah!).
What the heck is an interspecific plum?
Interspecific plums are hybrids of Prunus species, named for their proportion of plum and apricot: pluots, apriums, apriplums, plumcots, plumpicots, or pluclots. (I don’t authorize these names; I merely report them.)
What is that beautiful yellow tree?
It’s an invasive species, the Black Locust, aka Robinia pseudoacacia or false acacia. It’s a sneaky nitrogen fixer, allowing it to thrive in poor soil and to crowd out native species.
What are those trees that look and feel like junipers on steroids?
They’re sequoia: sequoiadendron giganteum to be specific (as opposed to interspecific). Some sites say that they’re the same as the giant redwood; this one says, not so much.
What is that thing growing on this tree?
It’s a willow bracket fungus. Or it’s hoof fungus (fomes fomentarius), which seems to be called both tinder fungus and false tinder fungus. (I merely report these names: I do not authorize them.) It might become a biodegradable alternative to plastic.
Is this really our end of trail?
Gosh, I hope not. There is just so much still to see.
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We had a Black Locust in our yard in the university area. I remember it had vicious spines. I have a Golden Locust or Honey Locust in my yard here in the Okanagan Valley; it has no spines. Your tree looks more like a Golden Locust to me.
I didn’t realize they were nitrogen fixers; perhaps that explains why grass does not grow readily under them — the trees outcompete grass as nitrogen fixers.
Here in the Okanagan, a much more invasive species is the Ailanthus Altissimae, also called the Tree of Heaven (featured in the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn). My municipality has declared it a pest, and is trying to eradicate it.
Jim T – I didn’t encounter any spines, so I expect you’re right about the ID. Truly spectacular, by any name!
You’ve been busy out on the left coast!!
Nice seeings and observings
Jim R – Thanks! It is a lovely part of the world when it isn’t raining.
As always, your photos are beautiful, with notations stimulated by blended curiosity and accuracy. The close-ups are magnificent!
Judith – Many thanks! 🙂
Super pictures, Isabel. Thanks.
Tom
I am most-of-all happy to know that the subterranean rumblings yesterday did not turn into THE BIG ONE. Safe travels!
Laurna – Indeed! I guess it was hardly felt on land (if at all). That’s my kind of earthquake.