Catkin

Who knew?

Our neighbors have a tree adjoining our property that I always though of as a pussy willow. By early March, often earlier, we see little furry, gray cyclinders emerging from the buds. A very nice herald of Spring.

On my way to my car the other day, for the first time, I noticed that the furriness had evolved into something else, and as I had my Canon SD400 in my pants pocket, I decided to take some photos.

Setting the camera in Macro mode and closing in on one of the once-fuzzy tubule, I half-pressed the shutter button. What came into focus on the LCD was unexpectedly beautiful.

So since I decided to post this image, I had to find out what to call it. Turns out the correct term is catkin.

So now I know, and you do too, and we can impress our friends and relatives with this new knowledge. Be sure to find some way to work catkin into the conversation this weekend.