柿の木広場へ向かう途中の公園の西洋トチノキ。初夏には白花の房で覆われます。
One of the European horse chestnut trees in the park near the Persimmon Park. This tree gets covered with beautiful white flowers in early summer.
涼しい木陰で一休みしました。
Another hot morning, so Taiga took refuge in the shade.
足元には落ちた西洋トチノキの実がゴロゴロ。殻から実が飛び出していて、普通の栗にそっくりですが、毒があるとイギリスでは言われています。日本のトチモチはトチの実の毒性を取り除いて利用しているのでしょう。
Lots of horse chestnuts on the ground. The chestnuts out of the shells look similar to sweet chestnuts but I was told in England that they were toxic. However, Japanese horse chestnuts are used to make 'mochi' sweets, by removing the toxicity beforehand.
柿木広場の甘百目。ここは元は近くの土地持ち農家の庭だったらしく、こんな古い品種の大木があります。
The solitary persimmon tree in the Persimmon Park. This park used to be a part of a large garden belonging to an old farming family, and this persimmon variety is old and not so popular any more.
Persimmon trees tend to alternate in terms of bumper years and poor harvest years, but this tree is a constant producer. When the fruits become overripe on the tree, a flock of Indian Ringnecks come and feast on them.
不完全甘柿なので、今の人たちにはあまり興味を持たれないようで、たぶん野鳥専用です。
This variety is partially astringent so humans are not interested in the fruits but good enough for wild birds.
タイガは木陰で草風呂。
Taiga enjoying the shade and the grass to roll on.
額に枯草がついている。
タイガは木陰で草風呂。
Taiga enjoying the shade and the grass to roll on.
A dry stalk on her forehead.
立ち上がるとシッポが垂れるほど疲れているようなので、ゆっくり帰りました。
When she got up, her tail was down indicating that she was already tired. So, we headed home leisurely.
