Yesterday was one of those days when we catch summer beginning to think about saying yes to fall. Summer is alluring at these times, especially when trains of cumulous clouds ride fast and low over water that is being cuffed by a stiff breeze. Here, you’re looking northwest from Naskeag Point at noon yesterday. The wind is gusting over 20 miles an hour in your face and tossing tansy blooms until they sometimes are a yellow blur. You try to gulp down the clean, salt-tinged air and can’t get enough.
But wait, we have a reality check: Many of the leaves on the trees already have been ravaged by summer’s tiniest visitors. Those in the top of a speckled alder tree above us are among the many that will not be turning beautiful colors:
Oh well, there are plenty of leaves waiting patiently for fall. (Brooklin, Maine)