Seen This Week: Sun, Clouds, Acorns

Red oak acorns rained on us at Biddle’s, 4 Nov 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

9 November 2024

It’s an abundant year for red oak acorns, also called a “big mast year.” The acorns pictured above rained on us while we sat outdoors at a coffee shop. Their parent tree shades the tables in summer but is not much fun this autumn.

In two days at Schenley Park: Sun through yellow trees on Tuesday. Overcast skies and russet oaks on Wednesday.

Sun through the trees at Schenley Park on Tuesday 5 Nov 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)
Overcast sky, russet oaks and leafless trees at Schenley Park on Wednesday 6 Nov 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

I took a picture of a bird! An unusual, piebald pigeon.

Piebald pigeon from the side, 5 Nov 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

The pattern extends to the back of its head.

Piebald pigeon from the back, 5 Nov 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

In an August article, Grass Carpet in the Woods, I mentioned that “After Japanese stiltgrass goes to seed in early fall it dies and becomes a brown drape over the landscape in winter.” Well, here it is draping part of Frick Park near Wilford’s Pines.

Dead Japanese stiltgrass draping the landscape at Frick Park, 7 Nove 2024 (photo by Kate St. John)

2 thoughts on “Seen This Week: Sun, Clouds, Acorns

  1. Our pin oaks have produced a lot of acorns this year. I think they must be stressed due to the excessive spring rainfall then the prolonged heat and extremely dry conditions of summer

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