The usually lusty month of May has turned its back on us. Today dawned cold and windy and wet as it splashes toward June. We have been battered with rain and wind that has made May feel more like April and temperatures that are as fickle in spring as in winter.
As I walked on Saturday, from my car to the Visitor Center at the Morton Arboretum, without my coat but holding my lime green umbrella, the temperatures hovered in the sixties. An hour later, as I walked out of the iris show across the way, the mercury had plummeted at least ten degrees, the wind kicked up, and I was rueing my decision to leave my coat behind. This morning, we awoke to the lower forties; no, not in age but in degrees. ‘
Tis a Winnie-the-Pooh-ish blustery day hereabouts; soup weather on the last day of May.
Still-in-all, the cold front brought out dramatic punctuations of steam rising from waters warmer than the air and puddles of glorious reflections and slick lanes leading to splashes of color and new growth.
It was while rounding a bend, the only car on the west side of the Morton, that I caught a glimpse of blue; a bluebird flitting past my windshield. It swooped swiftly to and fro and put on a show to my right, then flew off to greener pastures. I motored forward, not another car, nor walker or runner in sight, when to my left, I noticed these two fellows were checking me out.
In all my visits to the Morton Arboretum, I’ve never seen bucks roaming about. It was a thrilling surprise. As the one closest to the camera looked at me, I could see his new rack, a velvet promise of antlers as the season moves on. If you click onto the photo you can see it better, click again and you get a close-up of the rack.
He walked, rather cavalierly, in front of my car. His buddy then ran past, with me grateful my foot was still on the brakes.
Next time, dear friend, I will show you some photos of the reason I braved the elements, the Northern Illinois Iris Society’s flower show. Until then, here is a sneak peek.
Same here, cool and wet and windy, not May at all.
But there is a saying in Germany that a cold and wet May fills the farmer’s barns and vats.
I have a similar Iris as in your photo, I am hoping that it will break open soon. They are wonderful flowers, short lived but spectacular.
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That is a revealing phrase, Friko, for hereabouts, some farmers say this weather will bring good crops. Let’s hope this is true about this May. I must admit, in spite of the cold and rain and rain and more rain, everything is lush and green and growing.
Oh, I do hope they open for you soon and last for a bit. I haven’t had much luck with irises – but, I’m going to keep trying.
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Well, Kim and I were lucky to run every errand and get groceries home and into the house yesterday afternoon, with mild temps, no jackets, and about 20-30 minutes to spare before the showers began. Those showers, of course, turned into a pretty torrential downpour before dark, but we had minimal thunder with them. I think it must have poured all night, too, though I didn’t hear a bit of it. Temps were at 46 when I got up this morning and have now managed to struggle to a whopping 52. 🙂
The upside for us? Kim has some furniture she wants to rearrange upstairs, so we will take advantage of the “cooler” to get that done and not melt into puddles in the doing.
Have a great afternoon — maybe tea and a book near one of those beautiful views you have from your windows.
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Glad you got your errands done and groceries in before the skies let loose, Karen. Now that you mention it, we didn’t have much thunder either, but, that sudden drop in temperatures was felt. It is very windy and cold today.
I hope you and Kim got the furniture rearranged. Right now, I’m sitting here with a nice cup of tea, catching up, with a book at my side once I’m done. Take care.
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The misty days do serve the purpose of letting us take a nice book break or nap or both! The deer are so regal even as youngsters. Those tiny antlers are already gorgeous. Can’t wait to see the iris!
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I would love to meet up with these two fellas in a few months and see how magnificent their racks become.
These days do, indeed, serve a purpose, Marilyn, and I did take a nibble on a Maisie Dobbs, hoping to catch up on the series soon and hope to post some of the iris photos in a day or so. It was an excellent flower show. I was glad I went, in spite of the falling temps. 🙂
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What exciting wildlife sightings. Just back myself from time in the wilds, raining most of the time, just like where you are. Good excuse to hunker down and rest.
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Winter or spring, we are both in the mists, Juliet. We have had very cool temperatures for May, hoping June warms up. Hunkering down is the way to go.
Hope to see some photos of your time in the wilds soon. 🙂
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I love your visits to the Arboretum. Your two “dear” friends were not afraid to brave the rain and cold May day. We had similar weather here.. We finally got some measurable rainfall. We have had several rainy days, but not much actual rain. If you know what I mean. Just drizzle with no gumption to it.
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I do know what you mean, Janet; it is going to drizzle it might as well rain.
We have had lots and lots of rain. Ponds and rivers are full and moving fast.
I wish you could take a visit to the Arboretum with me. We could have fun in the children’s garden. 🙂
Saw you email. Rabbit Rabbit. 🙂
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Lovely photos, Penny. It is a bit chilly here, isn’t it? I had to put the heat on last night.
The irises are in bloom where I live. I’ve been enjoying them.
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It certainly is. I was okay in the sun, but, any bit of shade and brrrr and it was chilly enough for the heat last night.
The irises have been resplendent this year. I’ve stopped a few times to stare – and take pictures. No wonder birds run into my car. 🙂 Here’s to warmer weather tomorrow.
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What a surprising morning you had at the Morton Arboretum! Your photos of the bucks are amazing, Penny! I’m looking forward to seeing your photos from the Iris show, too. The Irises in my Friendship Garden are so colorful this week! We are so lucky that June arrived with a sunny week… at last! Enjoy! ♡
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I was so surprised to see them there, Dawn, and so close.
I hope you are taking more photos of your iris. I always love seeing them, but, this year they seem so much more beautiful. Enjoy yours. The sun was nice today, though very cool in the shade. Yea for June 1. Rabbit, rabbit. 🙂
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Misty moisty morning … But beautiful and filled with surprises! The irises would have been reason enough for a visit, but the unexpected gifts made it even better.
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They were gorgeous, Sallie, and so many different varieties and sizes. I was so glad I went – the deer were a bonus.
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I’m so glad I clicked on the photo to see both of these wonderful animals, Penny! In the smaller photo my eye didn’t capture the second…but you never seem to miss an opportunity to spy these grand creatures out in the fields and grasses. It must have more than made up for the cold weather. And I do love Iris. Years ago my mother was doing etched glass art and she etched Iris on the glass fronts of my kitchen cabinets because that was the flower I most admired! I will look forward to what you share from the Iris Society! ox
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I’m glad you did, too,Debra. The second buck was a bonus. I was pleasantly surprised to find them staring at me on the road – and I was the only one around.
Do you still have the etched fronts? What a lovely thing to do. They are such an elegant flower with so many facets to their beauty. Though short-lived in the midwest, they are such a treat when they are in bloom. I think you would have enjoyed the iris show.
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I’ve seen deer there quite a bit, mostly if I’m there late but not exclusively. The weather has been strange but I’ll bet your day at the Arboretum was more peaceful than it would have been on a sunny, warm June 2nd! Gorgeous photos Penny!
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That’s exciting, Janet. First time ever that I’ve seen them at the Arb.
It really was a perfect day to be there; no crowds while I was there, the rain made for good photos, etc. Only problem was that I wasn’t dressed for walking around. The mists were really dramatic that day. Thanks, Janet.
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As Friko said, your weather and ours seem to be have running in parallel in recent days, Penny, despite the ocean between us. I do hope more seasonable weather arrives soon.
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We had a cool morning, sun and heat and humidity most of the day, and now dramatic thunderstorms. The sun was nice to see, though, for I think we were all feeling gloomy in the gray.
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Beautiful photos! Amazing animals! Gorgeous irises. I LOVE irises.
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This was a phenomenal show and I could not imagine there were so many different irises.
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