How the Trees Love Summer Light

Morning light and trees, smoke from the wildfires burning out west and up north.

Breathing is difficult in such conditions, and visibility in any direction is limited. We are all going about with dry coughs, headaches, watery eyes and sniffles. When we are outside, there is the taste of embers and charred wood in the back of our throats, and sometimes, there is also the acrid taste of burning rubber.

Several northern communities have been rendered homeless by fires this summer. Vast numbers of wildlife have died, and three million hectares of magnificent forest have already been wiped out. There are heavy rains in the forecast for the next few days, and we cling to the hope they will quench the fires and end the destruction. 

There were ash particles on the deck and floating in the birdbaths when we went out to the garden a few minutes ago. One of the day's appointed activities will be checking the receptacles regularly and replacing the tainted water in them with fresh stuff for the bird people to drink and splash about in. 

For all that, the great trees in the park seem to be reaching for the light.