Babs writes: The cherry orchards are in full bloom, probably two to three weeks early. So if we don’t get a hard frost we will have cherries for the 4th of July.
It has been an unusual spring. The “Blessing of the Blossoms” is usually planned for mid-May. This year it was cancelled when it became clear that it would be the Blessing of the Little Green Cherries. For once, we can be sure that there will be some local cherries for the Cherry Festival. How many is another question entirely, as the early heat followed by inevitable frost did some damage. Still, it’s looking good out there now. Very good indeed.
Posted in: Babs Young photos, Local foods
Torch Lake Views 
P.j. grath
May 3, 2010
My Conservation District contact tells me the average peak blossom date for Leelanau County is May 15. I’m just happy to see blossoms at all, after tales of early frost damage. And don’t the orchards with dandelions between the rows of trees look colorful and pretty?
Gerry
May 3, 2010
Yes! And they sound good and smell good, too. Nothing like a “bee-loud glade” to set a person’s heart humming. Even a person grievously oppressed by pollen allergies.
Yeats, The Lake Isle of Innisfree
Cindy Lou
May 3, 2010
Oh so beautimous! I’ll bet it smells heavenly, too! Does anyone know whether this early spring means the hummingbirds will come home earlier? We usually put out our feeders on Mother’s Day weekend (which is not so far away?!?) but wondered whether they might wander home sooner?
Gerry
May 3, 2010
That is a very good question. I believe I’ll trot right over to Pine Hill to buy some hanging pots of fuschias. I am far too lazy to maintain hummingbird feeders, but they seem to enjoy snacking at the fuschias, and those I can manage. Anyone seen any hummers yet?
Scott Thomas Photography
May 3, 2010
Our Apple growers had/have the same concern though we are almost out of frost season. Another week or so.
Everything is early this year. Most of the trees here have all their leaves out…again, about two to three weeks earlier than last year.
Gerry
May 4, 2010
Our season has been odd. Most things early, some things not, all of it uncomfortable with the temperature swings. The growers say our apples should be OK. That’s good. I need apples.
Reggie
May 4, 2010
OMG – what an exquisitely beautiful picture! It’s just so *perfect*! I can just imagine strolling through those trees and lining down among them, gazing up at all those blossoms. A blissful sigh.
Gerry
May 4, 2010
Thank you Reggie. They are rather wonderful. Covered in bees, though, and rather messy on the ground, what with last year’s deadfall and the deer scat and – well, orchards sometimes look better from just a little distance.
Reggie
May 5, 2010
Um… covered in bees? Um… I think I’ll stand waaaay over here then. Thank goodness for good zooms.
Gerry
May 5, 2010
Bees in orchards are so busy, and probably so blissed out, that they ignore itinerant bloggers completely. You should go see last year’s post about the homeless bees swarming at King’s.
Fee
May 4, 2010
Just gorgeous. Several things in my little garden are sprouting away ahead of schedule (sadly, so are the flipping weeds!)
Gerry
May 4, 2010
I had not given a lot of thought to weeds–largely, I suppose, because I do not garden. I believe I’ll go inspect the liverworts.
isathreadsoflife
May 4, 2010
What a most beautiful sight ! very paintinglike too. It could be the cover of Tchekov’s book/play “Cherry orchard” 🙂 Nature has a way to bring smiles and make you feel good in any situation.
Gerry
May 4, 2010
I’m glad you liked it. The book cover has possibilities, depending on whether you think the Cherry Orchard should be played as a comedy or a tragedy. But truly the trees are a great comfort.