LETTER FROM THE CABIN 06-17-2018

At Camp. I sat on the back deck this morning, as I like to do when the weather cooperates, drinking a hot, fresh brewed cup of coffee. Swirling, helicopter like maple seeds twirled down on the deck and yard, a natural, yet amazing sight. I remember as a young child being fascinated by these acrobatic maple seeds. I would toss them in the air and watch them whirl to the ground with delight. In reflection, I suppose children still do that. This notion gives me pleasure.

Up close, the maple seeds are exquisite to look at. It is interesting to note that the seed pod on the wing when it swirls to earth most always lands with the seed down. This natural arrangement allows fortunate seeds to root when a passing foot, either human or animal steps on it, essentially planting the seed pod.

The single wing appears almost gossamer, translucent, sometimes with a light mauve or purple edge.This coloration seems quite inexplicable. Nature has stumped me on that one but I know this coloration is not by chance; nature doesn’t work that way. Perhaps, squirrels which have some color sensing abilities, may be better able to see the display of color on the edge of certain seeds. To the squirrels these colorful and edible maple seeds must be a delight. The squirrels would then bury the seeds that are the most visible to them and in a sense become inadvertent farmers. A good guess?  Who knows? For now, I just appreciate the seeds for what they are, a lovely creation of nature.

Till next week.

Hilton

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