Outdoors

Nature Notes With all of this rain the vegetation is as lush and green as it's ever been, leastwise in the writer's recollection. After three droughty years, we might have guessed that we'd get a monsoony one. It's a real gusher. Fluke Take to the Air Late Tuesday afternoon, a beach walker striding along the shore of Gardiner's Bay at Barnes Landing witnessed a strange phenomenon. Fluke were leaping out of the water after fleeing silver-colored spearing. Notes From Madoo: The English Flower I am always accoutred for any exigency. Therefore, full or half boots, decent brolly, of course, and suitable weatherproof as well as rain hat. If the day promises clear, flats, and a change of them if there is to be a tea. Something suitably modish in the way of headgear and I find that a long, flowing scarf is a cynosure, although in the rest of my habiliment I do not want to detract from the general floral display. Star Gardener me down as much as others because for the past six to eight weeks I have been totally absorbed and then entranced by the growth of the stalks, buds, and finally flowers of Baptisia Purple Smoke.