Around the city in a MH-12… – Page 4

12/02/202125/02/2021

Red (ThursdayTreeLove)

One of the ( many) good things of ThursdayTreeLove is the visual treat of Fall colours – something that I want to see with my own eyes. Maybe some day. While we do have several deciduous trees here, they do not have such spectacular Fall colours . Instead we have many trees that throw out beautiful and amazing new foliage in Spring. But more about that another time.

The Terminalia catappa is one of our trees that does turn a brilliant red when it drops it leaves. Currently this species is most eye catching all over my city mainly for its red leaves as they prepare to fall off.

This native species is quite common in my city especially in gardens and by the roadsides.

**Ready to drop leaves. The distinctive tree outline can be seen here.**

The leaves are large, oval shaped and leathery in texture. Flowers are not showy but can be spotted easily if one looks for them. Terminalia catappa belongs to the Combretaceae family and is also commonly called Jungli Badam.

**The inflorescence peeps out from behind the leaves!**

Even without these red leaves, the Terminalia catappa is easily recognisable due to its distinctive growth pattern. The branches seem to grow in whorls stacked on top of each other.

**When not dry, the leaves cast a welcoming cool shadow …. a great place to shelter from the blazing Sun.**

I am sure many of you must have seen and admired this lovely tree.

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

28/01/202128/01/2021

Candelabra (ThursdayTreeLove)

I debated using Tree and Cycle as the title of my post today! Finally settled on the one you see. Here was my reasoning……this is a species I see on my cycle route (for unused title) and in its present almost bare condition, i think it resembles a grand Candelabra!

Take a look at these images.. i am sure you will agree with my title choice!

This is the Maharukh or Ailanthus excela of the Simaroubaceae family. It is also called Indian Tree of Heaven. It is a native tree of the deciduous variety and currently is almost bare in Pune. Very soon it will burst into new foliage and flowers. I did manage to capture photo of its leaves and they are vey similar to the leaves of Neem (Azadirachta indica of the Meliaceae family).

This big green leaf is of our tree and is actually a leaflet. This tree has compound leaves.

It is quite common in my city either by the roadside or often along the compound walls. The tree grows quite tall and is very majestic. Its branches grow upwards from the main trunk bole and seem to reach for the sky.. almost like the arms of a candelabra.

Photo by **Ksenia Chernaya** from **Pexels**

Does the silhouette of any tree remind you of objects we use in our lives? Is that just a coincidence or does nature unknowingly influence our designs?

Have you seen the Indian Tree of Heaven? It should be blossoming soon.. do look our for its tiny yellowish green flowers.

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop . Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

30/12/202030/12/2020

A New Day (Wordless Wednesday)

The Moon sets as we walk up the hill

Tip: Do Watch in full screen mode

This is an image at the same spot.. the video is much better isn’t it?

The Sun rises as we head home

Do watch in Full Screen Mode!

Continuing with scenes from our daily exercise route, this time I decided to capture the beautiful sky in a short video as my phone camera is woefully inadequate to share the same with you. I hope you can hear the sound of the insects in the Moon set video.

A huge motivation to get out for walks every morning! Dont you agree? 🙂

I am joining Natasha in her Wordless Wednesday Bloghop!

Here’s wishing everyone a very Happy Healthy and Prosperous 2021!

24/12/202023/06/2023

Tree Love (ThursdayTreeLove)

This is one of the glorious sights on my morning walk on Pune’s Vetal Tekdi. Some may well ask what is remarkable in this image .. the grass has dried, many trees have shed their leaves and so on…

The Sun just peeping out from the horizon on a chilly winter morning (yes Pune does have a few every season 🙂 ) is a glorious sight to behold. Refreshing the mind and soul.

But tree lovers will adore trees in all the seasons in all their natural states. A leafless tree displaying its trunk and branch architecture is as beautiful as one in full bloom. The golden grass carpet crunching below our feet and rustling in the breeze soothes as none other.

As John Muir has said, “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

I am sure you all agree!

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove blog hop. It the hundredth edition this time and I am happy to say I have been participating since the 20th. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

As 2020 ends, let me wish you all, dear readers, a Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy year ahead.

10/12/202010/12/2020

Elephant Apple (ThursdayTreeLove)

What is it that first strikes you about this tree?

I am sure you will agree with me that its the glossy leaves that are eye catching. This is the Dillenia indica of the Dilleniaceae family and commonly known as Elephant Apple. This is a native species and its flowers are just as beautiful as its leaves.

The family Dilleniaceae is in honour of Johann Jacob Dillenius who was a Botanist and Botany Professor at Oxford. India Post has released a commemorative stamp of this tree species.

The leaf has a serrated margin and distinct veins

The five petaled fragrant flowers are large, solitary and face downwards.

Apparently the fruit is a favourite of elephants hence this common name! It is about the size of an apple and I have read that the pulp is used in some our our curries etc.

A few years ago, this species was not very common in Pune, and tree lovers made it a point to visit the few known locations where it did grow. However now I have seen it growing at many places , even on roadsides!

Have you seen the Dillenia indica? Do look out for its blossoms in June/July and Oct to Jan.

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around the world. Better still, join in!

09/12/202006/12/2020

Morning Hues

Stepping out before Sunrise means we can enjoy the beauty of rising Orb before its blaze makes it impossible for us to look up.

The advent of Smartphones allows us to capture these moments where ever we are.

I am sure you agree!😊

02/12/202002/12/2020

Joy (Wordless Wednesday)

Urban life imposes space constraints especially with respect to growing plants and gardening.

Despite these, I nurture a small plant collection in my balconies that gives me immense joy. Spending time with them everyday is a must and a huge stress buster for me.

Here are a few glimpses of my morning joys.

Tiny delicate flowers of my Wax Malphigea

The almost translucent fruit of my Wax. It’s a bonsai in training.

I got this beautiful Fern about 20years….prepared several ‘offsprings’ over the years.

My Cherry bonsai caught me napping as it showcases these fruit. How did I miss them all these days?

Flowers of my Geometry tree. Interesting name isn’t it? 🙂

I am joining Natasha in her #WW blog hop!

12/11/202012/11/2020

Offspring (ThursdayTreeLove)

A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees – Amelia Earhart

While roots of trees are underground in most cases , plants do grow aerial roots. The Ficus species is the easily recognisable example. When the hanging root touches ground, a new tree is born at that spot. Over time, the single tree has several offsprings and it becomes a forest!!

The Great Banyan at the Botanical Garden in Kolkata, the Banyan at Pemgiri and the Banyan at Auroville are famous for creating such forests.

Have you seen these or other similar ancient Ficus?

Your city would surely have mini versions of such new trees.

Here are two lovely roadside trees that provide a shelter from Sun or Rain to passerby’s. A wonderful spot for evening chats!

And a cool spot to park a vehicle 😉

I am joining Parul in her ThursdayTreeLove bloghop. Do head over to see some fantastic trees from around thecworld.

Better still, join in!!

Happy Diwali folks!!!

May this festival of lights bring good Health and Happiness to everyone!