Rain.

6-10-21 SHORT HILLS: We had a big T-storm two days ago with lots of flash-bangs that seemed rather close and lots of rain. The gauge had 1.6 inches the next morning. Some branches on the catalpa tree were broken and have been pruned. 

We are going back to restaurants. Sunday we were at Taste of Asia with Bill and Lynn, yesterday was Bebe and Ronnie at Lorena’s, which is in a new location. Tonight we see Richard and Elaine in NYC. Masks are mostly off, doctors offices the exception. I’m a little worried about the Delta variation of Covid causing a new surge with so many unvaccinated people around. 

New blooms: catalpa, elderberry. 

Holly Blue butterfly. I watched him for a long time in an attempt to catch some flight pix, but couldn't get any. The wings are bluer on the dorsal surfaces.

Another view of Holly Blue.

A cardinal scolding me for being near his nest tree.

Here's the Southern Magnolia flower on the second day getting it on with the pollinators. The next day, Day Three for this bloom, it was brown and over.

Today the Southern Magnolia put out two new flowers and has a big bud, about midway bwtween the flowers, for the weekend.

The Catalpa tree is in bloom. It has a lot of these white and purple flower clusters. The big leaves make it easy to spot these trees on the roadside.

A closer look at he Catalpa flower. When fertilized, the flower makes a long, 12 inches, seed pod that kids call 'cigars'.