Late Summer Meadow:

Sounds of Nature and Traffic 

It's not the country; it's the suburbs.  A busy street and an even busier highway are the borders of this meadow of native wildflowers and naturalized species.  Most of the trees are the now hated callery pear (Prunus Calleryana).

This small plot of land is home and larder to several critters:  rabbits, groundhogs, hawks, eagles, geese, crows, cardinals,  bluejays, birds I can't name, deer and numerous insects.  I'm sure many more live secretly among the tangle of plants.  The meadow's dynamic.  A different plant dominates a season from year to year.  Last year at this time, it was filled with goldenrod (Solidago spp); it's now relegated to the edges.  This year the cloud like boneset (Eupatorium Perfoliatum) reigns.

The wonder is how it survived the juggernaut of development.  There's no value or profit in this wildness.  Deep down, I know it's end is near.  Thus, I document what may be the last years of this suburban meadow.  With just a touch of melancholy.  

Wow.  This took a detour.  I meant to celebrate the changing of the seasons.  Next time.

Please enjoy this video of a late summer meadow in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC.

This Eastern Redbud Tree:

 A Profile in Resilience

Planted in an unsuitable location (western sun, edge of parking lot), split asunder by lightning then cut back with a chainsaw whenever new growth appears from the stump.  This tree has been through it.

I was lucky enough to record this video at the beginning of its Prometheus-like life cycle.

Eastern redbud (Cercis Canadensis) is native to eastern North America.  In zone 7a, I'd recommend giving it morning sun and afternoon shade.

Song:  Patterns of Love   

Artist: Nienvox   

Album: Sphere EP