Catbird Seat.

6-17-16 SHORT HILLS: The summer solstice is sneaking up on us. It marks the beginning of summer, but, paradoxically, also marks the start of the sun’s retreat from the northern hemisphere.

We leave for Vermont tomorrow for most of the summer this trip. I feel slightly ambivalent about leaving NJ now because the southern magnolia are about to bloom as are daylilies, hydrangeas, Hypericum and others, but there are flowers in VT too.


Catbirds were scolding Maizie and me as we walked past one spot in the yard.

That usually means a chick out of the nest but still being looked after by the parents until it matures enough to fly.

Beech nuts ripening.