August 05, 2004
In passing
Les sanglots longs
Des violons
De l'automne
Blessent mon coeur
D'une langueur
Monotone
Feeding frenzy - insects feed on a rowan tree. The rowan (caorthann as gaeilge) has been regarded as a sacred tree - according to Trees of Ireland - was believed 'to keep the dead from rising, helped to speed the hound, and helped the home, milk and dairy'. It didn't save us from Westlife, though.
And almost imperceptibly, we’re sliding into Autumn. The curse of St. Swithin is still with us – the weekend alternated between torrential rain and scorching sunshine – sometimes both at the same time.
The countryside is already turning. The leaves on the maples are already streaked with red and orange. Chesnuts, though still green, are growing fat and clusters of hazelnuts are beginning to take the colour of the Fall.
Sixspotted butterfly moth snuffles pollen on a blackberry blossom - some of the berries are beginning to ripen already
The real colour of the hedgerow comes from the berries – this is the time of the harvest , and animals, birds and insects will be busy for the next month to eat at much as they can before the countryside fades to grey for the winter.
Something I haven't seen in a long time - wild raspberries growing in a woodland hedge in Galway. This was all that was left by the time I was ready to take the photograph - the missus had scoffed the rest!.
Posted by Monasette at August 5, 2004 10:50 PM