“The Height of Summer” By Annie Watson
Yesterday we walked the Champlain Valley, surrounded by the richness of the peak of summer. The honeybees foraged in the hot sun on burdock, white sweet clover, purple globe thistle, chicory, white clover, black cohosh, motherwort, and more; the hummingbird moths and swallowtail butterflies sipped from bee balm, and the bumblebees and many other native pollinators enjoyed it all. Passing the beehives, our noses caught the yeasty aroma of honey in the making. The blackberries are ripe; within twenty minutes we filled our baskets with two quarts of summer’s “black gold”, pollinated by native and honey bees a month ago and now come to fruition.
We so appreciate the bees and all they and the thousands of other pollinating species do to provide our food. Speaking of fresh picked blackberries: Pick some up at your local farmer’s market or grocery, or if you are lucky enough to live in the country, pick your own beside the road or hedge. You can make a Blackberry Cobbler for dessert — or perhaps a blackberry gin fizz with Barr Hill Gin. Try this recipe at Epicurious.