by withered
a withered and crisply dried phalaenopsis orchid flower, still so beautiful
Can you believe it is almost the end of August? The days are noticeably shorter. Our record breaking hot and smoky summer is finally cooling a bit especially at night and with rain forecast for the coming weekend, we all hope our gardens will get a much-needed deep drink. Last fall’s new plantings did not survive this drought which means replacing them later on.
It’s been a summer of celebrations too: a nephew’s marriage in a beautiful wedding in a lovely setting, and a dear friend’s 75th birthday garden party on lovely Bowen Island with many artist friends present…both heartwarming occasions of reunions with family and friends.
August 26, 2015 in Current Events, Home, Nature, Photoworks by Marja-Leena
Hooray, many times!
Thanks, Lucy!
Yes, summers are times for celebration. Nice that you’ve got to see your relatives!
Same hot weather and drought seems to have been settled also on top of Washington and Oregon. Friends sent pictures from Spokane where some Reservation has been circled with forest fire. Also in Portland last week end there was heavy smoke.
We had some drops of water today, so hopefully you get yours too!
Kiitos, Ripsa, it has been wonderful to see some relatives and friends that we have not seen in some time! Yes, there are forest fires on both sides of the border; the smoke knows no borders. Waiting for rain…
That photograph is so beautiful! I’m glad for your celebrations and hope you have a happy transition from summer to fall. It’s much cooler here today, right on schedule.
Beth, I’m so pleased you like the photograph…thank you for that and the wishes for a happy transition.
Frail orchid flower reflects our parched landscape in the northwest. Lovely photo.
Naomi, great observation, thanks!
Lovely flower: so delicate in its death – a birth to a different state.
It always catches me out, even though it comes around every year: the way the light recedes after the Summer Solstice. The speed of the light disappearing every evening seems to accelerate so much more than its equivalent opposite in the Spring. I thought that for years, and recently found out that I’m right: the Autumn dark does envelop us faster. The rain of course will also bring darker skies – so not all bad.
Olga, I’ve had the same thoughts about how qucikly the dark seems to come in late summer. The few cloudy days also surprise when we’ve had so much sunshine this summer. I am ready for the rain!
Summer here had been magnificent until the past two weeks when periods of intense humidity struck. It’s funny how it can hover around 98%. When it goes over that the transition to rain is swift.
This is a lovely picture. Just the other day I was noticing just how prevalent flowering white bushes are in August while in Spring it’s yellow that dominates.
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed so much of the season despite the smoke. Hopefully, the rains will arrive soon.
Susan, wow, that is very high humidity indeed! Though we are close to the sea here, it hasn’t reached such numbers here, probably because the ground is so dry. In our own garden there is not as much colour as usual because everything came and went earlier. Some decidious trees and shrubs are showing fall colours and dropping leaves already.
Interesting that you have more whites now and yellows in spring whereas, at least in my garden pinks predominate in spring and yellows in fall, that is in the shrubs and perennials.
Somehow ‘withered’ doesn’t quite seem to describe the whole-ness of this image. Certainly it has lost needless bulk, but what is left is delicate and gentle, awaiting a new stage in its continued existence. Olganorris seems to be there with her comment, at least from where I sense this image.
Tom, you are right, I wish I had been able come up with another word that captures that “new stage in its continued existence”. In a way, its current stage could almost be permanent if kept dry and safe from damage. I too like what Olga wrote.
What a strange summer this is. We have two hurricanes coming at us,but I’m too tired to care in this heat and humidity. I’m so glad you in the Northwest are getting rain at last.
Yes, a strange summer indeed. I’ve been reading about your weather, which seems to be affecting ours according this report: “The storm will be tapping into some leftover moisture from Tropical Storm Kilo, which hit Hawaii earlier this week. That extra vapour will deliver “copious” amounts of rain.” It will be a relief from all the fires in our province and over the border.
Hope those hurricanes will do no harm but clear away that heat and humidity!
Lovely cast-off fairy crown!
Here I am sad that we had a great rain, and the temperature has dropped. I need to go South for more heat… Though I think any little drought is hard on this area, so used to rain and cold. I was hiking up Chicken Farm Hill Road (!) and heard an enormous tree fall, and then another one fell the next day. Poor suddenly parched Yankee trees… Well, they are wet enough now.
“cast-off fairy crown” – love that! I’ve just written a long overdue post about falling trees and rain and cooler temperatures, rather like you’ve had. Except for the storm, I am not minding the rain and cooler weather. It’s quite warm now and getting drier again. Wishing you a pleasant fall, Marly, one that will keep you happy and not craving the South too much. Hah, I sure was craving the North not long ago.