Bloom Time

Six days after access to Lake Jocassee opens, we launch a boat and head for Rock Creek to look for insect damage on dog hobble. And guess what? It’s Bloom Time on Jocassee! Everything is blooming, or is about to bloom, and the sweet scent of tree flowers bounces across the water, not constant, but caught in whiffs. Big lotus-like blossoms glow creamy white on Fraser magnolias, treetops are wound with orange and yellow lianas of cross vine flowers. Best of all on this fine day, black locust trees festooned in clusters of white flowers hang like lacy wedding swag over the edge of the lake. A few loons remain. The waterfalls are strong, the sand bar in front of Laurel Fork Falls is still there, and the lake is down several feet so entrance to that waterfall is not happening today. Out of the boat on the Foothills Trail, ferns, heavy from recent rain, sweep across the path. The dog hobble which concern me so are putting forth tender bronze leaves, with no sign of whatever insects ate every leaf last summer. Yet. I’ll be keeping an eye on this through the coming summer. ~K


 

 

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