Arizona sycamore
While visiting Montezuma Castle on October 18th last year I learned that there’s such a thing as an Arizona sycamore tree, Platanus wrightii. Like the better-known American sycamore, Platanus occidentalis, this one has bark that peels to reveal trunk and branches that shine white in the light of the sun, especially from a distance. A closer look, like the one below, reveals patterns and details.
Click to enlarge.
I’m still halfway around the world. You’re welcome to comment but I may be slow to reply. I’m sorry I also haven’t been able to keep up with your blogs.
© 2017 Steven Schwartzman
Portraits of Wildflowers 
Thanks for sharing your experience. Found this story amazing. #AhiddenGem
Travel_With_Asif
February 20, 2017 at 5:55 AM
LOVELY
healthrole
February 20, 2017 at 1:33 PM
It was good to make the acquaintance of a new (to me) kind of sycamore.
Steve Schwartzman
February 21, 2017 at 3:21 AM
This looks like the tree growing in a little Arizona town we visit. When the vultures come back in the spring from Mexico, a dozen or more roost in the tree. You can see them circling as the day closes, then settling in on the branches. And in the morning you can catch them waiting for the thermals to lift them skyward. Neat birds.
Sally
February 20, 2017 at 5:32 PM
It probably is the same species of sycamore you’re familiar with from the roosting birds. I didn’t see any vultures on this one.
Steve Schwartzman
February 21, 2017 at 3:22 AM
Too bad. They’re really neat (unless of course you are standing directly beneath!) 🙂
Sally
February 21, 2017 at 8:42 AM
We do have vultures in Austin:
https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com/?s=vulture
Steve Schwartzman
February 21, 2017 at 11:03 AM
Hm. I wonder if all sycamores smell delicious in the rain? It is one of my favorite smells in nature.
Lynda
February 20, 2017 at 11:36 PM
I’ve never noticed the smell of wet sycamores but we have plenty of those trees in Austin so I’ll try to find out how they smell after a rain.
Steve Schwartzman
February 21, 2017 at 3:24 AM
It is an odor like no other and I think it smells fresh, but not a bright smell as in freesias or citrus. 🙂
Lynda
February 21, 2017 at 10:49 AM
Now you’ve got me intrigued.
Steve Schwartzman
February 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM
The closeup of the bark is delightful; the colors and textures are as appealing as they are a-peeling.
I just discovered I have a nice photo of a Platanus occidentalis from the Tallgrass Prairie bottomlands, taken on October 24. It’s interesting to see the trees’ similarities and differences. Both are lovely in sunlight, that’s for sure.
shoreacres
February 21, 2017 at 9:36 PM
Sycamores are great trees, no question about it, and among our tallest. I never get tired of their bark patterns, and it seems they hold you in thrall as well. It’s good you discovered a picture you took of one on the tallgrass prairie, where it must have stood out.
Steve Schwartzman
February 23, 2017 at 2:05 AM
Super images Steve .. hope the holiday is going well 😄
Julie@frogpondfarm
February 24, 2017 at 12:51 PM
Yes, it is. Yesterday we made it all the way down to Bluff at the southern end of the South Island.
Steve Schwartzman
February 24, 2017 at 1:03 PM
How wonderful .. enjoy 😄
Julie@frogpondfarm
February 24, 2017 at 1:13 PM
We saw lots of luscious kelp at Stirling Point in Bluff.
Steve Schwartzman
February 24, 2017 at 2:28 PM
I can imagine! 😃
Julie@frogpondfarm
February 24, 2017 at 4:13 PM
Have you gone that far south?
Steve Schwartzman
February 25, 2017 at 12:17 AM
Guess what? No … lol
Julie@frogpondfarm
February 25, 2017 at 12:20 AM
Then you’ll have to follow in our footsteps.
Steve Schwartzman
February 25, 2017 at 1:14 AM