Fake summer snow

What do you think this is? Besides of an awful road covering. This is typical Moscow June disaster – the poplar “fluff”.
(*as usual, pictures are clickable to be enjoyed full size)

That is how this tree disseminates its seeds in nature.

Tiny seeds are surrounded by fluff which allows them to fly to reach a larger territory in order to make new trees (does not work in a city though).

In my native Vladimir, which has the same climate as Moscow, there are less poplars, and they are regularly cut to stop (at least to diminish the quantity of) the fluff.

In Moscow however it is almost a tradition to have the fluff in late May and early June.

Which looks quite nice for me, but I also have some empathy towards people with allergies.

I really like the fluff, it makes some difference.

Birds seem to enjoy the seeds.

It is rather beautiful, though messy. While walking this week, you constantly move hands sharply, because the fluff is everywhere around your face, and nose, and eyes, and mouth. It makes the throat sore a bit, because without doubt you swell some amount of the smallest parts.

Rains help to freshen it up.

Poplar tree.

Voila, that`s all for today.