March 10: Tulip trees, honeybee

The tulip tree blossoms are just about passing their prime now. It was a couple of weeks ago that I saw the first one blooming: it's always the same tree in a yard next to a busy avenue, near my grocery store and post office. It's not a pleasant neighborhood as far as traffic and noise level, and I feel sorry for the residential streets that butt up to it. Back when the houses were built, I think it was relatively quiet.

I started to say that this gorgeous, tall tulip tree covered in flouncy pink in March is like a girl who's overdressed for a party, but I immediately realized I was wrong. There's no environment where a beautiful tree is inappropriate or out of place. It could be in the most blighted, industrial setting you can imagine, and it's still just a blessing.

So, tulip trees! The good ones I know of are mostly where I see them while driving and there's no good opportunity to stop and take pictures.

But last week I had the chance to get up close and personal with the ones at the zoo. The petals were starting to drop, and you could see them littering the ground. There were even a few on the pavement that bore the marks of a tread.







In other spring news, today was cool and clear, and out in a yard with short grass, blooming weeds and scattered with quaker ladies, I saw my first honeybee of the year. ♥