Common/Tag Alder

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 7:31 pm

For those of you who may be "spring peepers," like myself, well don't croak just yet.

Common or Tag Alders are a good indication that spring is on the way. The small tree produces catkins with very tiny flowers prior to putting forth its leaves. It is the only Alder native to the southeastern portion of the United States. It usually flowers form March to April but here it is a couple of weeks or so early. Catkins are approx. 1.25 in.

Common Alder
Canon EOS 20D
Manual mode
1/125 sec. f/6.3 and 11 respectively ISO 100
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro USM
Canon 430EX ETTL Speedlite @ -1 off camera w/Novoflex bracket

JoanYoung · Post by **JoanYoung** » Sun Feb 17, 2008 8:32 pm

What can I say? Everything here is dying down and here you are showing me these signs of spring!!

Well one of these days it will be spring here too. LOL!!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 3:53 am

Tis aggrevating isn't it?

I sit here and see wonderful shots of all sorts of stuff while looking out the window from time to time at gray skies and dormant trees, not to mention cold temps. Then as the days pass it begins to get better and then the shoe is on the other foot.

Thanks Joan

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:33 am

hmm thats an interesting plant, kinda reminds me of something i saw today, a native australian plant.

something i wanted to capture, but it was geting rather dark, ill probly capture it tommorow, its interesting to see a native american plant, i dont think i know very many native american plants besides corn, and maybe peyote the cactus, if that is even native?

Thanks for sharing.

Adrian · Post by **Adrian** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 4:36 am

Ken Ramos wrote:I sit here and see wonderful shots of all sorts of stuff while looking out the window from time to time at gray skies and dormant trees, not to mention cold temps. Then as the days pass it begins to get better and then the shoe is on the other foot.

This is the kinda weather i long for!, abundance of fungus!.

it is starting autumn here, i love it, the fungus is allready apearing and the slime moulds are moving! (slowly).

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 7:07 am

A great indicator of spring Ken. I like the clean background on the first one.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:15 pm

Alders seem to be all over the place but most are European species. The Common or Tag Alder is the only one native to this part of the US, though we have an abundance of others that were introduced.

I have found that throughout winter there seems to be a great abundance of various fungi, though I have only found one myxo that is hardy enough to brave the cold temperatures, Lycogala epidendrum I believe. This myxo is quite large and globular, with pale or slightly pinkish spore masses and has a rather brittle and almost back exterior. I find it mostly on decaying logs.

Yeah that background really turned out nice there Doug, kinda favor that myself.

Thanks guys!

Cyclops · Post by **Cyclops** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:01 am

Great shots Ken! Did you manage to find any of the much smaller purple female flowers? They are strange looking things!

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Fri Feb 22, 2008 6:22 pm

Not yet Cyclops but I am keeping a close eye out for them. Thanks

into.the.airwaves · Post by **into.the.airwaves** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 9:15 am

I cant wait until winter is over.
I like how clear the pictures are.

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:22 pm

Well I tell you what Briana, I cannot wait either. Though I like winter to some extent, I am ready for spring.

Thanks Briana