-
Not Petals But Bracts
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) in the very early stages of floral bloom, back on April 10th. Those little pale green nubs at the center are the buds of the Dogwood flowers. Those four even paler green items extending out from the buds – items that we most often think of as petals are actually bracts.…
-
Up Really Early
Oh MY! What a beautiful morning. How wonderful to wake up and find 2.75 inches of snow plastered all over everything. Up early because an electrician was coming out at the crack of dawn this morning. He managed to show up in his trusty 4X4 Silverado, despite a very challenging, narrow, twisty-turny, snow covered, mountain…
-
No Leaves Left
Our autumn is now past its peak. The wind has come through in a rage, taking not just the leaves but some branches and trees as well. Here, sitting in a Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) is an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe). Dogwoods are so beautiful all year long. With their leaves gone and the berries…
-
The Last Leaf On The Dogwood
There was just ONE leaf left on the Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) out by the pond yesterday. This morning. This afternoon, still it held on. Then came the cold front. Dark clouds as sunset approached. Wild winds. And then darkness of the night. Tomorrow morning autumn leaves will be scattered all over the ground. Leaves…
-
Soon To Let Go
Soon to let go. Soon to drop to the ground. Soon to be bare branches with buds of flowers at the tips. Flowers to bloom six months from now. All set to go. Just waiting for the perfect time. Time for the blooms of Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida) to open and delight. _______________________________________________________________________ If you…
-
Crimson Leaves
I was away for several days, hoping when I returned that the autumn leaves would be just as beautiful as when I headed south. Taking the back roads seemed to be driving back through time. From autumn into green leaves. Not a sign of autumn anywhere. What a joy to return to discover the leaves…
-
Red Berries Red Leaves
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). Leaves that, in a subtle way, start to turn from green to red in late June. You have to look and be very aware. It is indeed quite a minuscule change at first. After all it takes months to reach this point of rich red. And those berries. The ultimate scarlet.…
-
Showing Off Its Crimson Side
Happy first day of astronomical autumn. Quite the rainy day here but it’s time to celebrate nonetheless. First I’ll celebrate that I’m getting rain. Hooray! Something that is needed to a huge degree. Second I’m celebrating AUTUMN. Hallelujah! Lovely, warm colors all over the woods. Celebrating with me are the Flowering Dogwoods (Cornus florida). They’re…
-
Earlier And Earlier Sunsets
Two months ago, July 10th, the sun set here at 8:38 p.m., and this evening it set at 7:30 p.m. Summer is now marching into autumn. As the days become shorter, trees sense that change. Their chlorophyll production slows, their leaves lose the green they started out with in the spring and other colors emerge.…
-
The Weather Forecast
The weather forecast for tomorrow night (Wednesday night) into Thursday is exciting for me. Prospects of beautiful ice. I had a dentist appointment scheduled for Thursday, but given the risk of driving up here where it’s bound to be even more icy than down in the lowlands, I’ve rescheduled that appointment. And besides I’ll need…