There’s a thick haze in the distance, but it’s not the cloud of unknowing. It’s pollen, and a sign that high spring has come to the mountains. It’s been visible on the cars for a few days, but it hasn’t covered the deck yet, so there’s a lot yet to come.
Some of the dogwoods are in bloom. Some others will probably come this weekend, and unless we get a hard rain that knocks the blossoms off, I’m guessing next weekend will be the peak. But it should be pretty good this weekend.
The blackberry plants are in flower on our property, and the lowbush blueberry is beginning to regrow in the understory. It’s nice to see some green again underneath the oaks.
The redbuds are almost done, as is the sarvis. The crab apples are still yet to bloom.
I think I saw a Blue Hairstreak flash by yesterday, and yesterday we saw the first skink. Surprisingly, it was a Broadhead Skink. We usually see the Northern Five-lined Skink and Fence Lizards. Compared to them, the Broadhead is a little bigger and stockier, and a bit closer to the ground.
The forecast for Sunday is for rain, but Saturday is forecast to be a beautiful day, with a high of 84. If you haven’t been up in a while, you could do worse than to come on Saturday to see the dogwoods.