21.1 Pair Ash Trees

At least I think they are ash trees. They were big 15 years ago and the one by the barn gently lowered a huge branch onto the roof during an ice storm. Although I cut and trimmed, nature is who eventually brought the huge branch down.

Dying Ash Tree
Still has the nice shape, but there are a lot of dead branches up there and more come down every storm.
foxtail grass
I do like how a manual prime lense can be focused accurately. Too accurate -- I focused on tip of what I learned as a "foxtail". Actual name would be appreciated.
Falling branch
The branch keeps getting lower and lower. Moved the mobile a couple days later.

falling branch holding a mobile
I noticed this spring that the branch was dying when I hung the mobile there. I'd been hanging them on that branch for several years now. Lookinp up, I see that most of this ash tree is dying. Getting a clear image where you can see the mobile and the branch is a photographic challenge due to the similarity in light values. Phone camera doesn't work.

I wonder if the two invasives that have made themselves very comfortable in the guild dominated by this large ash tree might possible host a parasite that will do in th emerald ash borer which may be the emerald green beetle I've seen a few times.
Oliver disapproves of hold digger
This hole was not there yesterday when I checked to see if the wasps or bees or whatever had a nest in the ground were still buzzing around and they were. today was much colder, so I didn't expect to see any, but instead of the small hole almost invisible, there was this much bigger hole that Oliver smelled and immediately squatted over it. Didn't try to cover, in fact bit of a jump and ran a bit.
Oliver disapproves of hold digger
This hole was not there yesterday when I checked to see if the wasps or bees or whatever had a nest in the ground were still buzzing around and they were. today was much colder, so I didn't expect to see any, but instead of the small hole almost invisible, there was this much bigger hole that Oliver smelled and immediately squatted over it. Didn't try to cover, in fact bit of a jump and ran a bit.

Oliver disapproves of hold digger
This hole was not there yesterday when I checked to see if the wasps or bees or whatever had a nest in the ground were still buzzing around and they were. today was much colder, so I didn't expect to see any, but instead of the small hole almost invisible, there was this much bigger hole that Oliver smelled and immediately squatted over it. Didn't try to cover, in fact bit of a jump and ran a bit.
Oliver disapproves of hold digger
This hole was not there yesterday when I checked to see if the wasps or bees or whatever had a nest in the ground were still buzzing around and they were. today was much colder, so I didn't expect to see any, but instead of the small hole almost invisible, there was this much bigger hole that Oliver smelled and immediately squatted over it. Didn't try to cover, in fact bit of a jump and ran a bit.
I got stung by one of these when I was raking up trimmings to put in the wagon. I chewed a plantain leaf right away, applied that and held it there and that really helped. was painful enough that later did ibuprofen and two days later can still feel it a bit.

I got stung by one of these when I was raking up trimmings to put in the wagon. I chewed a plantain leaf right away, applied that and held it there and that really helped. was painful enough that later did ibuprofen and two days later can still feel it a bit.
I got stung by one of these when I was raking up trimmings to put in the wagon. I chewed a plantain leaf right away, applied that and held it there and that really helped. was painful enough that later did ibuprofen and two days later can still feel it a bit.

I got stung by one of these when I was raking up trimmings to put in the wagon. I chewed a plantain leaf right away, applied that and held it there and that really helped. was painful enough that later did ibuprofen and two days later can still feel it a bit.
In serious need of attention
This is an area where people are likely to go by and there are not only bush honeysuckle, there are also winter creeper and poison ivy.

In serious need of attention
This is an area where people are likely to go by and there are not only bush honeysuckle, there are also winter creeper and poison ivy.
Not sure if these purple leaves are natural or not.
This tree is a good feeding perch and ther are all kinds of plants coming up under it. Not only bush honeysuckle, there are also winter creeper and poison ivy. Hard to see which of the many other plants might be "ok" in this guild.