September 2, 2011 - 2
Cool Sighting Of The Week:If a tree falls when you're asleep, does it make a sound? I'm not sure, but either way, it still had to be cleaned up before the big party this weekend. Last weekend's hurricane Irene left most of the northeast with some remembrance of her, and it left this backyard with about a third of the biggest willow tree lying on the ground. Such a graceful tree, this black willow, she let down her huge branch gently between the many bird feeders, causing almost no damage, but to herself. I felt saddened by the loss, yet blessed by the seeming sacrificial nature of the tree, and I consoled myself that much of its beauty still remained.
It took a few days, but thanks to the generous help of a few friends, most of the mess has since been cleaned up. The main trunk which still rests on the ground now provides an interesting arch through the yard and looks like a jungle gym. I wondered how the birds would adapt to the sudden change to the feeder area as the branch that fell was the closest to the feeders and the one most used by them as they come and go. No worries, though. The birds flew through the dense cover until it was removed and they now use the arch as a favorite landing spot!
And now, the other arms of the willow have begun to fill the empty space in the sky. Discovering nature to be so virulent and supremely adaptive this week was very cool!
Heard on 89.7 WDVR FM every Friday at 3PM during Anything Goes!
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