Pear Blossoms (R)
One Day at a Time
The smell of pollen is in the air . . . specifically pear tree pollen (most of the pear trees around here are Bradford Pears, which I think are non-fruiting, but they are still pear trees, they are everywhere here. We have one in our front yard (that’s the only tree in our front yard, then we have a veritable woods behind our house with mostly white oak, Georgia pine, and sweet gum trees). There are some other flowering trees right now, mostly small, shrubby trees, but I don’t know what kind. I am not a tree expert, arborist, botanist, whatever. But by far, the biggest and most visual flowering trees right now are the pears. They produce a distinctive odour in the air . . . smell of pollen. Sorry to gross everyone out, but I’ve often thought it smelled a bit like semen. Yes, gross. But the flowers are pretty and that distinctive odour means spring is here.
It was a nice run, although quite warm. I almost overheated again since I’m still not used to this warmth (although it will almost assuredly cool off again, so it’s not like heat acclimation will do me any long term good at this point). I didn’t feel as overheated as my run two days ago, probably due mostly to drinking plenty of water beforehand.
I may try to run again tomorrow since I’m working a full shift on Tuesday (so I could take Tuesday off from running). The problem is, there’s supposed to be rain/thunderstorms tomorrow, so I may have to run before work on Tuesday (if so it will be a long day).
-AR
PS: I’ve got to check and see if the Azaleas, Magnolias, and Dogwoods have started blooming. I kind of doubt it. I’m pretty sure those come later. It’s always the pears that bloom first, every year. I have also noticed a lot of pink blooms on some smaller trees (not sure what kind, again, I don’t think they are dogwoods-we have some dogwoods in our backyard and I’m pretty sure they haven’t bloomed yet). I find the progression of spring to be interesting . . . the whole timing of things. I need to do more research and see what is happening, and what happens when. The pears are all too obvious. It doesn’t take a keen eye to catch that. Also, I think the Azaleas bloom in early April here. The whole Masters golf tournament is timed for that, I think .
PPS: I was going to post a picture of a blooming Bradford Pear but I can’t find a good one. And it’s dark so I can’t take one.
See Route
3.04 miles (4.89 km) through Millbrook, Amelia Landing, and Grenelefe. Start time approximately 1:45 PM EST on 02/27/2011. Total run time 26:49. Pace 8:49. Weather Conditions: Mostly Sunny, 78F/26C, Dew Point 54F, Humidity 44%, Winds WSW 8mph, 30.04inHg/1017.3mbar and falling.