Janet Brien's photos with the keyword: maple tree

Ok, I admit it. I'm hopelessly silly...one of the things I like to do is apply fun names to things that I find. For instance, let's take Maple seeds. Don't they look like a strange sort of bat to you? OF COURSE YOU AGREE WITH ME!! :D So naturally, the proper name is Maple Bat. This tree was brimming with them! Now, since these Maple Bats aren't quite mature enough to fly away, they are fledglings! I see you approaching with a straight jacket but don't worry, I'm not totally insane, I promise! I merely have a thriving and imaginative inner child who loves to help out with anything goofy! :) I captured these a couple of years ago on a lovely spring day.

This photo was taken on October 21, 2011.

I took lots of close-up images of maple leaves from this tree. Isn't it just amazing?! This photo was taken on October 21, 2011.

I have to tell the truth: one of my favorite trees are Maples. their leaves are just so beautiful and broad, with lovely veining and interesting shapes. I was so excited for Fall to arrive because I couldn't wait to take pictures of the leaves as they transformed from green to brown. Winner of FlickrDuel contest: +10 Color: Flora This photo was taken on October 21, 2011.

This image was taken during the month of October, 2011.

Steve and I were driving around looking for nice autumn shots when I spotted this vineyard, complete with festively-colored leaves! This image was taken during the month of October, 2011.

I never realized how beautiful maple seeds are when they are maturing, and here you can see them glowing in the afternoon sun! Did you know that the "wing" part of the maple seed is the "fruit" of the maple tree, called the "samara"? You can clearly see the actual seeds in my picture at the top of each samera! From Wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samara_ (fruit) A samara is a type of fruit in which a flattened wing of fibrous, papery tissue develops from the ovary wall. A samara is a simple dry fruit and indehiscent (not opening along a seam). It is a winged achene. The shape of a samara enables the wind to carry the seed farther away than regular seeds from the parent tree

I was delighted to find seeds emerging from pollinated maple blossoms so that you can still see the flower petals and the seed at the same time! The perfect way to understand the formation of seeds is to see it, so I love capturing this kind of image!

A couple of months ago, Steve and I were at the Palmerton Arboretum and I found these lovely maple seeds in clusters all over the lower branches of a huge maple tree which graced the entrance of this wonderful grove. I have always loved these seeds, and upon the tree the look to me like tiny, colorful bats in flight. This image makes me want to duck my head, here they come!! Below are a couple of other pictures of "maple bats", I hope you enjoy them! :