what’s your seasonal bellwether?

My world is still mostly green. But signs of transition are everywhere–sumac being my personal bellwether here in the north. I really should not be posting leaves so early, as we are heading into a full two months were the leaves will be demanding my attention on every walk. We finally got past flower season, and have barely had time to take a breath, and already the leaves are beginning to shout at me. It’s very hard to ignore them, when they are so loud and demanding. It’s takes concentration and tricking of the mind in order to see past them to find other deserving subjects. The only true quiet is winter. In spring it’s all about blossoms and catkins, and in summer it’s flowers, and in autumn the colorful foliage. So, get ready for lots of leaves, because they are starting to make noise.

staghorn sumac leaves in early autumn (Rhus typhina)