296/365: "Photography is more than a medium for factual communication of ideas. It is a creative art." ~ Ansel Adams

2 more pictures in notes above! :)

Today Steve had my camera for a work assignment, so when he got home I popped on the macro flash and went out to take pictures. However, when I looked at them on my computer, I didn't think any of them were especially interesting. So, I decided to use one of my "emergency subjects" for times when I'm rushed for a picture and can't go out on another hunt.

What do you think of this strange leaf-seed combination that I found one day in Medford?! I looked carefully at the tree this came from, and the regular leaves are quite different. In hindsight, I'm sorry I didn't take one of those leaves home too, it would be good for comparison. (This is a picture of the normal leaves along with the seed-bearing leaves) Anyway, I think the seeds are so cute and fuzzy and hoped they would make a nice picture! Thanks to all of you who helped me to identify this as a Basswood, Linden or Lime tree (not related to the fruit).

From Wiki:
Commonly known by the names Basswood, Linden or Lime tree, Tilia is a genus of about 30 species of trees native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere. Commonly called lime trees in the British Isles, they are not closely related to the lime fruit. Other names include linden and basswood. The genus occurs in Europe and eastern North America, but the greatest species diversity is found in Asia.

Tilia species are mostly large, deciduous trees, reaching typically 20 to 40 metres (66 to 130 ft) tall, with oblique-cordate leaves 6 to 20 centimetres (2 to 8 in) across. As with elms, the exact number of species is uncertain, as many if not most of the species will hybridise readily, both in the wild and in cultivation. Limes are hermaphroditic, having perfect flowers with both male and female parts, pollinated by insects.

I discovered that many parts of this plant are edible, after reading a fascinating article about the Basswood tree by Samuel Thayer: Basswood: The Ultimate Wild Salad Plant.

Ansel Easton Adams (February 20, 1902 – April 22, 1984) was an American photographer and environmentalist. His black-and-white landscape photographs of the American West, especially Yosemite National Park, have been widely reproduced on calendars, posters, and in books. Wikipedia: Ansel Adams

Explored on October 24, 2013. Highest placement, page 3.