Scotch Pine Death - The Pine Borer Comes

Pine borer beetles continue to decimate pine trees across the midwest and beyond.  This magnificent big boy was located in a commercially developed area of the city (next to a car wash), in a space just wide enough for 4 tractor rows, on the last bit of farm ground some old farmer was still working over in this part of the city.  I bet this tree was 80 - 100 feet tall, and I measured a 12 foot circumference 5' above the ground.  I made a special trip with a tape measure to faun over this tree.   I had always admired the tree when I went through town, I could see the top of it a mile away from city streets.  One day I drove by and saw the tell tale signs - -  brown needles - - the borer had come.  I could not bring myself to drive by and see the tree, dying or dead, for months and months.  The borers can kill a tree in the space of a week.   Finally I did drive by and it had been cut down.  An important marker wiped out after witnessing how many years of changing seasons.   I'm sure there will be a parking lot.  On the day I photographed this tree, I took a pine cone home with me, tiny thing, barely an inch long.  

Wirehaired Fox Terrier.........

I have acquired a burning desire to live with a wirehaired fox terrier.   I found this adorable WFT on YouTube, learning chopstick manners at the table.  I found a puppy mill rescue dog in Iowa, through a dog rescue website.  She is a small 6 year old female WFT.  Oh where have all her babies gone????  Apparently she was very ill when she was turned out of the mill but is recovering from her traumatic young life and will be able to be adopted.   She's an indoor girl, 12 pounds, and enjoys her bed and playing with her rescued mates.  I don't think that I have the proper amount of time to spend with her every day and will not pursue adopting her.  If you are crazy about a particular dog breed, please check to see if you can rescue one from dire circumstances.  There are "rescue" groups for about any kind of pet or animal you can imagine.   

Bryant Park Sycamores

All

of

the

trees

in

Byrant

Park

are

Sycamores.

I always buy a weekly Metrocard to get around on the subway, and because I don't live there, I always give the card away after my last ride. Giving something away can be interesting, I usually hang out near the vending machine and when someone approaches, I hand them the card and tell them it's got a few days left before it expires. The last time I was in town, no one approached the vending machine and I was running out of time to get a cab ride to the airport. I went upstairs onto the street and the first person I saw I thought might ride was a small fierce woman. I veered toward her on the sidewalk and said "Excuse me, I'm leaving town and I will give you this card if you can use it, it will be active for a few more days". She eyed me suspiciously like there might be a trap. I told her again that the card would be active for a couple more days if she wanted it. She hesitated just a moment before she snatched it from my hand and hurried away.