The green petals can easily be missed! This was growing by a creek at the bottom of a very steep slope and as I descended, some of the lower branches were right about at eye level.
I have a red maple by my kitchen window that did not do so well last year. I was admiring all of the red flowering blossums this year and hoping that it was healthier, a survivor. Then, I saw them – the tree ruining culprits. There were two squirrels in the tree eating the red buds … they must be sweet.
Alas, your maple tree looks much healthier than mine.
I will look forward to its colors this fall especially. For the last two years the fall colors here have been far less than usual because of early cold snaps. I hope this year will be better.
Yes, this shrubby maple provides some of the ONLY red in Montana’s autumn palette, along with huckleberry brush. And a few introduced sugar maples and red maples in people’s yards.
BTW, the dead stems that proliferate in this maple also make it quite the fire hazard, and when you trim it back to reduce that hazard, the overpopulated whitetails keep it browsed back to stubs…
How very lovely and a great close-up shot of the leaves. I haven’t seen a Rocky Mountain Maple tree and definitely different than the variety I have growing in my backyard.
Superb clarity and vibrant colours and luminosity.
LikeLike
Comment by stuaato — May 10, 2011 @ 10:32 pm
Thanks Stuart!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 10, 2011 @ 10:44 pm
That looks like a flower that would be easy to miss, but is beautiful up close! I don’t think we have that type of maple here.
LikeLike
Comment by kateri — May 11, 2011 @ 4:34 am
The green petals can easily be missed! This was growing by a creek at the bottom of a very steep slope and as I descended, some of the lower branches were right about at eye level.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 7:30 am
I have a red maple by my kitchen window that did not do so well last year. I was admiring all of the red flowering blossums this year and hoping that it was healthier, a survivor. Then, I saw them – the tree ruining culprits. There were two squirrels in the tree eating the red buds … they must be sweet.
Alas, your maple tree looks much healthier than mine.
LikeLike
Comment by bearyweather — May 11, 2011 @ 6:13 am
I haven’t seen squirrels munching on these maples, although they are really after the fir cones now.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 7:31 am
I love being able to look so closely at nature, especially as it’s emerging into it’s green. Beautiful close-up of a beautiful tree.
LikeLike
Comment by Teresa Evangeline — May 11, 2011 @ 6:36 am
I do too, Teresa. It’s well worth taking the time!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 7:31 am
A beautiful tree, especially in the fall… =)
LikeLike
Comment by Tricia — May 11, 2011 @ 7:04 am
Yes, very bright in the fall, but pretty except in winter.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 7:32 am
Beautiful! It looks like it’s wearing jewelry! 🙂
LikeLike
Comment by Barbara — May 11, 2011 @ 11:41 am
It does! It reminds me of some of your images!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:16 pm
Why, thank you!! I might want to ‘borrow’ this photo and do something with it!
LikeLike
Comment by Barbara — May 12, 2011 @ 10:53 am
Please do! I’d like to see what you come up with!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 12, 2011 @ 3:07 pm
Thank you!!! 😀
LikeLike
Comment by Barbara — May 12, 2011 @ 4:12 pm
the only thing I know about maples is the syrup!
LikeLike
Comment by silken — May 11, 2011 @ 12:30 pm
I don’t think this one would yield syrup, but it has a very nice smell.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:17 pm
Hi Montucky, What a really pretty shot of the Maple! Have the best day today!
LikeLike
Comment by wildlifewatcher — May 11, 2011 @ 12:42 pm
Thanks wildlifewatcher!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:18 pm
What neat little flowers! I like this tree. And you know what? It grows in New Mexico!
LikeLike
Comment by sandy — May 11, 2011 @ 3:38 pm
It does: you will have something to look forward to!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:18 pm
Pretty little flowers on it.
LikeLike
Comment by Candace — May 11, 2011 @ 7:15 pm
They sure are pretty. I would bet that they go un-noticed most of the time because of their colors.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:20 pm
Wow, so much detail in this type of maple. Gorgeous! Now I need to go give my red maple a closer look–it’s just beginning to open tiny leaves.
LikeLike
Comment by Bo Mackison — May 11, 2011 @ 7:34 pm
It may be like this maple when your timing has to be just right to catch it.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
Your perspective on nature is delightful!
LikeLike
Comment by kcjewel — May 11, 2011 @ 9:12 pm
Thanks Jewel!
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 11, 2011 @ 9:22 pm
Can you imagine what it would look like at fall with the with it reds, oranges, etc
LikeLike
Comment by Evangeline Art Photography — May 12, 2011 @ 8:19 pm
I will look forward to its colors this fall especially. For the last two years the fall colors here have been far less than usual because of early cold snaps. I hope this year will be better.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 12, 2011 @ 9:39 pm
Yes, this shrubby maple provides some of the ONLY red in Montana’s autumn palette, along with huckleberry brush. And a few introduced sugar maples and red maples in people’s yards.
BTW, the dead stems that proliferate in this maple also make it quite the fire hazard, and when you trim it back to reduce that hazard, the overpopulated whitetails keep it browsed back to stubs…
LikeLike
Comment by Kim — May 23, 2011 @ 9:13 am
Awesome photo. You have a magical touch with these nature photos!
I have heard the name, but not sure if I have seen it when in the States.
LikeLike
Comment by sartenada — May 12, 2011 @ 11:13 pm
Thank you Sartenada! The distribution of this species is limited to the western part of the country.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 13, 2011 @ 8:24 am
How very lovely and a great close-up shot of the leaves. I haven’t seen a Rocky Mountain Maple tree and definitely different than the variety I have growing in my backyard.
LikeLike
Comment by Anna — May 13, 2011 @ 6:53 am
They are not much like to other maples.
LikeLike
Comment by montucky — May 13, 2011 @ 8:25 am