This was a stellar day. You know how sometimes the light is just right and the temperature mellow warm, but not hot. Add to that the wonderful smells filling the air as the growing season kicks into high gear with the warming and lengthening days. I stopped along Old Redwood Highway near Wikiup to grab some pictures of early flowering cherries and plums. The air under these trees was dense with scent…almost intoxicating in its power. The masses of flowers on the trees almost defy description. These are the street trees rather than the great fruit bearing cherries, so the whole breeding goal has been for intense color and density of the flowers. These mature specimens illustrate their success.

A close up of a random branch shows flowers packed as tightly as they will fit. The effect of massed flowers which is apparent at a distance becomes even more intense close up when each flower’s fragrance is added to the next.

The pink blossoms surround darker centers with pistils and stamens colorfully projecting an inch or more from the center.

The whole effect is magically powerful as the eye is grabbed, the nose is sweetly invaded, and the air itself seems to vibrate with the intensity of the display. It’s no wonder bees, hummingbirds, and humans all flock to these trees in this season. Absolutely irresistible.