Yesterday I found these buds about to burst in Schenley Park.
Yellow buckeyes (Aesculus flava) are one of the first trees to leaf out in the spring, unfurling their dramatic palmate leaves. They’re such a welcome splash of green that I photograph them nearly every year. This is the first time I noticed the bud at this stage. I didn’t expect it to be red.
Over the years my buckeye photographs have documented the vagaries of spring in Schenley Park. In cooler years — such as 2015 — the buds weren’t this far along in mid-April. Here’s a closed bud on 15 April 2015.
In hot years — such as 2012 — the buds opened weeks ahead of schedule. This buckeye was completely leafed on 19 March 2012.
This year appears to be a “normal” spring … whatever that means these days.
(photos by Kate St. John)
Hi, Kate, Some weeks ago you had requested we alert you to the return of the Blue Jays. A Blue Jay was on my deck railing today bowing & squaking loudly then he took a bath.
It is 3 pm and the pair that is usually around here comes almost every day around 3 or 4 for a bath. I only heard & saw one today.
off topic: I liked the bird app you used at Duck Hollow on Sunday. Would you share the name please? And we really enjoyed the morning out in the snow with the birds.
Denise, I use the Sibley Guide .. which is kind of old and it costs money. The Merlin Guide is free & uses photos instead of drawings.