Springtime
I cross the Reitz Union Lawn nearly every day, en route to class or work. It is practically the very hub of my campus wheel. This is a pleasant time of year on the lawn, since the Shumard Oaks are getting their new leaves of bright green, the azaleas are blooming in magenta or white, and best of all, a small orange tree is covered in blossoms that smell heavenly.
My favorite smell remains almond, but orange blossoms are a not too distant second. Even if I forget about the tree, it is impossible to miss, since the breeze sends it’s fragrance across the lawn. Yesterday I was so taken by it, that I decided to brave the bees and steal a bud for myself, and I put it in my shirt pocket. For the rest of the afternoon at work I could smell the flower in my pocket. It was a delight.
I must not be the only one who loves the Reitz Lawn: there are always students laying about on sunny days, and it is common for organizations to set up tables and displays along the sidewalks there. Earlier this week as I was crossing from Weimer Hall I saw a flock of large white birds hopping across the grass. They were scared off by a bicyclist and flew to a nearby pine tree. They attracted a great deal of attention as they moved, and as I pulled out my camera to snap some photographs I was asked by a passer-by if they were frequent visitors. I see mockingbirds and cardinals everyday, and red-tailed hawks are not uncommon, as are robins during winter. But I hadn’t seen these birds before, and there were dozens and dozens of them.
As I was taking a picture a girl called to me and asked what kind of camera I was using. She came over and took a closer look, seeing I use a D70. She said she had a D80 that had just been stolen, and was distraught. I’d be, too. I take pictures ever single day, and occasionally professionally. If I lost my camera it would be a great hardship. And, really, hardships are the worst kind of ships.
Filed under: Animals, Musings, Photography, School on March 6th, 2008 | No Comments »