Thanks, Merle! This one boggles the mind, then you see the tracks doing odd things and a man appearing from the track. It is a robot manipulated image.
Catalpa performs this show every year without fail, is able to grow on nearly any site, is long lived (100 plus years), and generally remains sound enough to stand up to ice and storms. It does all those things, plus it has a talent for developing cavities which make excellent dens for wildlife. Our catalpa grove is a haven for migrating songbirds on wintry evenings. It is thrilling to watch the travelers wing in at dusk as they seek shelter for the night. Catalpa seed pods open in winter and drop seed on snow cover, providing valuable food to birds. I am baffled by the lack of respect for this wonderful tree. Oh, the wood is beautiful, too.
Merle is taking us to the other side of the World this week. 88 degrees east, and here in Southern Illinois we are 88 degrees west. It's rough country, up in the Himalayas. Thank You for the pick, Merle!
