In the tradition of Chinese Medicine there are five seasons, the fifth being 'Late Summer'. For my part, I agree with this. There is a turning point in the year that begins in August, and continues on through September, when, though the full splendour of Autumn is not yet upon us, the glory of Summer has past.
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| "still drinking nectar..." |
On days like these, when a chill appears in the air in the early mornings, and the mists begin to hang heavily over the fields, the sunshine (when it comes) is still hot; and whilst the ripening berries shine in the hedgerows like clusters of red and black jewels, neither the conkers, nor the leaves, have yet fallen from the chestnut trees.
And though we are reminded by the catalogues that have started coming through the door, that there are now only three months until Christmas, the butterflies are still drinking nectar, and the bees go on bumbling and buzzing in the flower heads, collecting pollen until they can hardly fly for the weight of it...
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| Collecting pollen in the sunshine |
