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Monkey Puzzle Tree

Recently, my husband and I went to a park that's surrounded by farmlands on the outskirts of the city. I needed to clear my head and be out in the open air and among the trees. We had a picnic and spent the afternoon walking through the park. As it's out in the country, it was virtually empty when we arrived.

As we walked through the park looking for a spot to have a picnic, I found this monkey puzzle tree branch.


monkey puzzle tree

When I was a university student, one of my part-time jobs on campus was with the university landscaping crew. I loved that job as I was outdoors all day working with some interesting people. The university had lots of trees, so I pretty much raked leaves all year round. I even took my puppy to hang out with me one day while I worked. The gardeners taught me the names of trees. I loved the brillant yellows of the Gingko in Autumn and the bony white branches of the Birches. Another tree that I liked was called a monkey puzzle tree. Incidentally, it was while I was working this job that I first ran into Matt, my husband. We didn't talk that day, I just stared at him and smiled as he walked by.

What's your favorite tree?

More shadow shots at HeyHarriet's shadow shot sunday.

Comments

Tracy said…
What a FASCINATING tree... Monkey puzzle tree! I had to look that one up, we have not of those here up in the far north. haha... Beautiful... I love when gingko goes golden, so they are among my faves of trees, as are aspens and Japanese maples. Wonderful to hear about your landscaping/gardening job once-upon-a-time. And how your met your husband... sweet. ;o) Happy Weekend, Juana ((HUGS))
GalleryJuana said…
Tracy, oh yes, Japanese Maple trees are so pretty. I've never been around aspens here on the west coast.
Happy weekend to you as well.
We've never heard of a monkey puzzle tree either - love it! Great story as well Juana - not many of us can say that we saw our husband the first time while under a monkey puzzle tree...what fun!
Ralph said…
We all need to vacate the urban jungle sometimes, even if for a brief couple of hours. It is cool to have these pleasant diversions, like seeing flora that we miss in the city. You have such different life out west - I have never seen this before, and the desert color is so subtle and wonderful - such a color would look so nice on an accent wall in any room. Very nice and relaxing this view is...
My favorite tree is the sugar maple, especially when it turns scarlet in autumn. However, it's been years since I've seen one...

SHADOW PLAY

Shadows like horses, shadow likes chicks,
Shadows like houses built with red bricks;

Shadows much taller than a high wall—
No matter their shape, I love them all!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Tortured Shadows and Twisted Shadows
Sylvia K said…
Now that one is new to me and what a terrific shadow shot! It is wonderful to be able to be close to nature and have great places to walk and soak up the beauty! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Juana!

Sylvia
Cassie said…
Such a neat ShadowShot! I am a lover of Blue Spruce...their perfect conical shape, smell and color. I do like the flaming folliage of the Maples and such too though.
Catherine said…
what a great serrated shadow - great!
Very nice photo.

Regards and best wishes
Angie said…
It's years since I've seen a Monkey Puzzle tree - great shadow!
LV said…
So glad I found your blog and saw this interesting tree. Never have seen such a thing. Truly amazing.
Paula said…
I never seen such an interesting tree, thanks for sharing.

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