i just read that they are studying maple seeds to help find solutions for slowing down the descent of planetary probes in outer space. the twirling wing creates a leading edge vortex almost identical to the leading edge vortex created by the wings of hummingbirds and bats and other animals that can hover. that’s part of what i love about science. sometimes it’s inspired by the results of massive algorithms. sometimes by the backyard play of children.
boxelder seed
sucker lake regional trail, saint paul, minnesota
This is such a tender, beautiful photo. It makes me think of healthy pink lungs of a newborn baby – not that I have ever seen any, just the way I imagine they look.