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line, like elegant champagne goblets held up to the sky. These consist, of scales* each containing a seed. Birds loye these seeds and feast on them in winter.
I took a close look at one of these elongated scales and noted a sharp* point at the bottom, just below the fat seed. Above the seed the scale flattens out, ending with a abrupt point. A spurt of wind sends a shower of these out into the air. They twirl down and land seed first on the ground, ready for sprouting next spring if some hungry chipmunk doesn't find them first.
Winter twigs of Liriodendron tulipfera are studded with life. Each is tipped with a spoon-shaped bud about a half inch long. It's broader at the tip than at the base and looks much like a duck's bill. This is made Up of two scales, or valves. They are now, in early winter, a rich purple. These values will open in spring for the outward and upward growth of the twig. All along the twig are smaller versions of this "duck's bill," these contain the vitality of next year's leaves. Much is contained in a small package.
This is my Christmas present to myself: close scrutiny and reassuring reminders that tell all is right in the natural world and life goes on no matter how few the hours of daylight.
John Trott welcomes reader comment at P.O. Box 215, Flint Hill, Va. 22627.
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