Since the start of the pandemics, I 've stayed closer to home, going out / traveling - for essentials only. This week, before the coming of the promised rains, and of a possible new Covid wave (God forbid!), I took the time to explore a little the immediate surroundings of my hometown and some landmarks in one of its adjacent towns.
Not far from my neighborhood, I've spotted a small plot with trees whose trunks were white painted. I suppose it's for protection purposes - to protect them from the sun. Sun rays might crack the tender bark and so allow introduction of disease and insects. I gather the paint is water based or water diluted, so that no chemical harm is done to the tree. Some of the trunk shapes look rather strange. Perhaps it's a special type of trees.
On approaching the trees, a single hen crossed my way and conquered my heart; such a cutie!
Whenever I visit a town where there's a lot of construction being done, I get the impression that architecture (or shall we say architects) are looking for noise and publicity rather than for comfort and functionality. What makes me think that, are not only the towers standing out in a variety of somewhat weird shapes, but also the use of certain building materials.
The exterior of the 9-story relatively new City Hall building in the adjacent town of Herzliya, for instance, is made of blue glass. I suppose the glass is not only for decorative purpose but has certain anti-reflective and security features. Anyway, one can see through the blue glass, from the inside out, but not vice versa.
The glass you showed is handsome. I would love glass used in architecture that allows the light and heat to flood in during the winter, but keeps the interior cooler and less sundrenched in summer.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the glass facade is beautiful; it attracts both locals and tourists. You're probably right about light and heat too.
DeleteI suppose it's worth investing in its maintenance.
What strange times. When will it end?
ReplyDeleteStrange, indeed. Only God knows what awaits us.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you were able to get out.
ReplyDeleteThank God for that.
DeleteDuring the first wave, there were lots of volunteers willing to help the elderly with buying groceries and such. Well, as long as the legs carry me I cannot give up the walk to the supermarket, at least that.
Good to see you out exploring. We really had an upset at work last week when our children's lib. came down with COVID. She was vaccinated. It started with a mini-stroke she said and she did have to be hospitalized. Her daughter who was not vaccinate and in her thirties had it too and is still spitting up blood, but hopefully they are both on the mend now. It's still pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteSorry about the librarian and her daughter. Sounds scary, but good to hear they're both on the mend.
DeleteI was trying to do a bit of "outing' before the weather becomes nasty and I get confined to home. And, of course,Covid is still around. May God protect us!
The glass does look good, nice photo of you and how good you went further a field to see what's about. In mid to late January we will be due for our 3rd dose, not much is being said about it yet, more concentration on people's 1st dose at the moment and children soon.
ReplyDeleteThose trees look very much like boab trees.
Thanks for the tip regarding the tree name. Names in flora and fauna are not my strong side at all.
DeleteThe third dose, the booster is said to have greatly lowered the numbers here. We shall see, God willing, how things are in winter.
We are going up again in Toronto with covid cases
ReplyDeleteUp and down. We practically live in the dark as regards the virus. Europe is back to the beginning, and science seems to be helpless.
DeleteThank you for sharing some pictures of where you live.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Mary! There is nothing special where I live, but with Covid around, I'm not looking for photography opportunities.
DeleteLovely to see you in these photographs, and I am so pleased that you are able to get out and about. Just going out locally helps our wellbeing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
So far, the weather is fine and makes it possible to do some walking and taking a picture or two. At the end of the week, we're promised rain, and other changes. We need rain, but the cold and wet are not good for me.
ReplyDeleteIt's so great to see you in these photos my friend! You look wonderful, healthy and active! Sometimes we fail to realize that there are beautiful places to be explore just outside our own front door! I wish my dad were alive, he would know why the trees are painted white and what type of white paint they use. He was Father Earth, he knew everything about agriculture.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia, dear, for your very kind words.
DeleteThere's a lot to know about trees, but I know very little. I mainly guessed that the white paint is for protection from the sun. As it is not far, I may have another look at them, see if I can learn something.
How interesting it is, the painting of the trees. To my knowledge that doesn't occur here...but I could be wrong...I often am! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. It's the first time I see a thing like this. The trees look relatively young, hence the attempt to protect them from sun damage.
DeleteIt is nice to be out and great to see you in the photos. We have been wearing the mask for almost 2 years now and I feel strange and unsafe if not wearing one in public places. The cases here are going up, down and up again. Hope there won't be any more lockdown and that the cases will stay low too.
ReplyDeleteMy feelings exactly- strange and unsafe not to wear the mask. We are tired of the whole situation, but have hopes the pandemic is on the decline.
DeleteI have become so used to my mask I feel naked without it. I once worked in a merchant bank, it had all glass front like your building and my boss sat with his back to the ceiling to floor windows - every time I walked into his room I felt sick and could not bear to look ahead or downwards! He used to laugh at me as I had to walk in looking at the floor!
ReplyDeleteGlass does have its qualities, but most of us are used to solid, ordinary materials. This building has also two glass elevators that lead from entrance floor to upper floor.
DeleteGood to see you outdoors...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ashok. So far, the weather was just calling us to be outdoors and enjoy it before the wintery days get control of our life.
Delete
ReplyDelete“The aim behind this is to give more strength to the trees. You must have noticed that cracks occur in the trees due to which the trees start becoming weak. In this case, they are painted to strengthen them. Paint also increases the lifespan of the trees.”
This is the explanation I found.
What we see here is some trees wrapped in burlap to keep them protected from winter weather.
As for the changes caused by the pandemic, we must do something we enjoy, preferably outdoors. I have already gone to restaurants and to the movies. The theatres were half full so I felt safe.
Nice to see you out and about. : )
It's so nice to know and see that trees are taken care of! Both the sun and the winter weather can harm them, just as they harm us people, sometimes.
DeleteGlad you've enjoyed yourself by eating out and go to the movies. We can't isolate ourselves endlessly.
I loved seeing the buildings you shared with us and the trees. I've never seen painted trees before; that fascinates me. I like the mirrored buildings but you bring up a good point about the maintenance to keep the mirror look going! I'm just glad you got out and were able to enjoy things before it gets tricky again. Our numbers here in Michigan are the highest for the state of ALL TIME. I'll be laying low.
ReplyDelete",..before it gets tricky again.." So very true!
DeleteI feel tired and frightened of the whole situation, especially as winter is almost here, and is not going to make things easy.
The news coming from Europe regarding the pandemic are depressing! May God have mercy on us and end the spreading of the virus!
I need to sign up for my booster. Where's the rooster? I felt compelled to rhyme.
ReplyDeleteBooster/rooster- perfect rhyming. I like rhyming, and you know what,anyone could write in rhymes with the help of rhyming online dictionaries. I did that on a couple of occasions. Rhyming always sounds festive to me.
DeleteThanks for the interesting post and beautiful photos! In my city, they used to paint tree trunks white too ...
ReplyDeleteI must admit it's my first time seeing white painted tree trunks. It kind of surprised me, but felt glad trees are being taken care of.
DeleteBoa noite. Uma parte da história da cidade do Rio de Janeiro através do meu Blogger.
ReplyDeletehttps://viagenspelobrasilerio.blogspot.com/2021/03/rio-456-anos-parte-i-rio-de-janeiro-rj.html?m=1
Luiz Gomes, thank you for letting me know that part of Rio de Janeiro's history (the last topic of Hels's post) goes through your blog.
DeleteIn Ireland I have seen trees not painted in white but wearing colourful crocheted socks to protect them from insects ! That looked so nice and funny ! Don't talk about new builts ! All big cities look now the same ! High glass boxes. If you would drop me in a city without saying where it is, I wouldn't know, they all look the same now !
ReplyDeleteThe Irish treatment of the trees sounds amusing. What's important is the trees' protection.
DeleteThe new buildings, whether office buildings or residential ones, depress me.
At first , the white paint looks curious, but we soon understand that it's for protection of the trees.
ReplyDeleteSadly, Europe now has a rise in Covid cases. May God Help!
I rather like the architecture! But that's just me.
ReplyDeleteWe will start vaxxing kids this week. It is a relief. Our numbers are going up, though.
I may be wrong, but I believe the key to end the pandemics is dealing with the kids. They are the major spreaders of the virus.Most of them wear no masks and are not vaccinated.
DeleteBoa tarde. Obrigado pela visita e carinho. Aproveitando a oportunidade e sou um novo seguidor do seu maravilhoso trabalho. Gostaria de ter o privilégio de você seguir o meu Blogger também. Bom início de semana com muita paz e saúde.
ReplyDeleteThanks for for being a follower of my little blog. I'm reciprocating.
DeleteWishing you a great new week!
Understanding your need and desire to remain cautious, Duta, I think it is a good thing that you were able to venture out within your neighborhood. I too have never seen trees painted white, but New England birch trees have a white bark naturally.
ReplyDeleteI had to venture out a little, as winter is knocking on the door. The upcoming cold and rains will,no doubt, keep us indoors. Covid is still around adding to our fears.
DeleteIt was nice to see you without your mask. And how lovely to encounter a chicken on your walk.
ReplyDeleteThe chicken made my day.
DeleteI'm afraid the mask is going to be with us for a long, long time. I hope I'm wrong about that, but I try to be realistic.