I’m allergic to tree pollen, and birch trees are just about the most allergenic.  Plus I hate the way fallen pollen adheres to our shoes and gets tracked into the house every spring. 

But I do love the look of those drooping catkins.  They remind me of party lanterns strung across a patio.  Last night, illuminated by porch light in the gloaming (love that word :)), they were so striking against the twilight sky that I had to snap this photo.