Gallery of promises

Hopeful spring is early days, with months of risk and peril before the harvest. ¶ 

Some of these won't make it. ¶ 

But it's May, so let's enjoy the beauties of spring and the promises for the fall.

Cortland

Good old Cortland!

Red Astrachan

Red Astrachan is one of the earliest of the season. (The fruit, not the blossom.)

Wickson

Wickson is a real gem, a bit later in the year (and an early bloomer).

You sure know this next one:

McIntosh

Beauty of the fall! but shown in the spring. (McIntosh)

I took all the blossom photos last week at a friend's orchard.

You may not know this next one, but you should:

Hudsons Golden Gem

With its suede jacket and distinctive shape, Hudson's does not look much like the apples you'll find in supermarkets.

Okay one more:

Hightop Sweeting

Wowsa! Check out those stamens. (Hightop Sweeting)

Easy to lose track of how springtime is basically a huge botanical orgy.

That's all for now (and of course there will be a different gallery of blooms in the orchard this week).

May your fruit all be pollinated!