Here is the compound pinnate leaf of the Mountain Ash, tantalizingly soft and full of promise.
The down on so many things: goslings, chicks, and leaf buds, reminds us of the fragility of life, and the fleet foot of time for soon the down is gone.
I promise I will send you the sequencing of the unfolding of the hickory compound leaf. I take them every year. You know, I simply love them: "the leaf orchids" of the tree world.
The Yellow Bird Magnolia down is not to be out done by the ash, and it’s flower is arguably more showy. When it's golden bloom is spent, the magnolia branches bring memories but the ash hosts thrilling cedar waxwings.
Dogwoods have simple, un-toothed leaves, and their veins curve right to the edge of the leaf. Perhaps I may do a close up someday of the curving veins but for the time being we must be content enjoying the subtle colors of the leaf bud ...and that sure isn’t hard.
It is still so early temperature -wise. The wild flowers must bloom before the leaves emerge or they will not have enough sun. I will be on the prowl very soon for the early ones, like dutchman’s breeches, however the best place I know for them is along the St. Lawrence River in the granite hillsides. I shoot them all, as many as I can, then sometimes hang my trophies on the wall.
For now I will leave you with the cultivar scilla: bountiful beautiful scilla, bug and all.
