Larch Cones

Larch Cones, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I often like things that are a little out of the ordinary, that don't always follow all the rules. Larch trees are one of those things - conifers, but they lose their needles. So autumn is a time for them to change colour from green to a golden yellow. Some of the cones stay on the trees providing food for squirrels and some birds. Without the needles, I have a good view as they stop and feast on a winter's day.

Day 309: Thinning Out

Day 309: Thinning Out, originally uploaded by susanvg.

I have always loved this larch tree which stands in front of my house. It is an anomaly - a conifer that loses its needles. It waits until the flash of the reds have passed and then changes from green to golden brown. The needles drop, covering the space beneath. Many years the snow falls before all the needles have fallen and they pepper the whiteness with their golden sprinkles.

There is always action in this tree, with squirrels chasing each other up and down or birds feasting on the seeds inside the cones. Down the street, a large tree was cut down. It's moving time for all the creatures who depended on it. Perhaps some will chose to enjoy the embrace of this venerable tree.