I caught sight of the Moon through the branches of my new tree-following subject when I visited at lunchtime on February 11
At last, my decision has been made. After much dithering I have chosen the London plane in Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay, as my tree-following subject for 2019. The Latin name is either Platanus × acerifolia or Platanus × hispanica.
Will the tree still be standing at the end of the year? Who knows? There is so much change going on in this area that you can never be too sure. The day before I visited to take these pictures I saw a smaller street tree nearby was being cut back to a stump.
The London plane pictured from the South
I am hoping there will be plenty going on around this tree as the seasons change, but at first I was put off by the fact that it is such a busy area for tourists and shoppers. In the end I just brazened it out and snapped away, trying not to make eye contact with anyone who thought I was acting strangely. I also tried to keep people out of the pictures.
The tree shown from the East, with the now defunct Gourmet Guru street food cafe next to it – it’s getting rather shabby…
The bark flakes off naturally, but it’s sad to see the stumps of a few branches hacked off on the left
I’m not sure if the light bulbs came with the street food cafe or are left over from Christmas – not really very festive
The old chimney pots of the Duchess of India restaurant, which occupies a Victorian building
Plane tree seed balls always remind me of chocolate truffles…
…but you can see the seeds clearly in this close-up
A ripped plastic bag caught in the topmost branches
The well-proportioned trunks
More peeling – and colourful – bark
Another view of the brightly-painted street cafe
Shiny modern architecture with red brick and turquoise tiling
I can’t get enough of this bark
The street light next to the plane tree
With these blue skies it almost feels like spring – but this plane tree should really come into its own in the autumn. i wonder what changes we will see before then…
How interesting that the seed heads remind you of chocolate truffles – I always think of them as sleeping hedgehogs!
Yes, I can see what you mean 🙂
Good choice! I have always liked these trees, they are endlessly interesting.
That is a fine analogy – Chocolate Truffles!
Probably taste a but spiky though 🙂
the bark is lovely and interesting, in leaf it will mask a lot of the buildings, becoming (I imagine) a little wildlife haven, Frances
Not so sure about the wildlife – or whether I will be able to spot it with so much activity around. I think my visits will be quite short or people will ask what I am doing…
All the best 🙂
Looking forward to it’s progress throughout the year. I sympathise with your thoughts about taking photos in busy places!
It’s very hard to blank everyone out and not notice them staring…