Big, bold cumulus

05/14/12, 2 pm looking east

Nothing says "sumer is icumen in" like huge stocky cumulus clouds in the southern United States. The sky is often bluer and the clouds are whiter in the summer. When cumulus clouds pile up into stark white towers, you know that summer isn't far away.


The peonies and iris have finished blooming, but the roses are in their first flush of rich leaves with masses of scented blossoms. Day lilies are beginning to open for their short, bright life and foxgloves and columbine flowers dance on the breeze.


But no cuckoos in my neighborhood, alas.