The Taste of Elderberries.

On the Way to Port Bruce.

I like to jump into ditches that feature elderberries!

When on regular motorcycle rides during warmer months in Canada, I would keep my eye open for elderberry bushes. They would display distinctive flowers in June and July and small purple berries in late August - early September.

When they ripened I would pull my bike over and jump into the ditch and head toward the fence rows. I would seldom walk away without a photo and a mouthful of tart berries. And then, feeling suitably rewarded for my efforts, I would continue toward my lakeside destination, usually Port Bruce.

More berries:

Another stop beside my favourite barn was often warranted. I imagined a sign over the barn door - Gord's Workshop - and a sales table filled with many birdhouses and a few pieces of rustic furniture made from rescued lumber:

Yes, a man is allowed to dream : )

Next stop, Port Bruce!

Presenting, The Day of the Gulls:

Please link to Port Bruce: Gulls and the Deep End Again.

Photos by GH

Pssst. Wanna TOP Secret?

Rare Maps for Sale.

[Photo: They ain't ready yet. But soon.]

Undoubtedly.

This year will be a boom year for those who love elderberry pies (or wine, elixir, jams, and jelly) as much as I do. Double undoubtedly.

While touring on my motorcycle in late June and July, I noticed elderberry plants in bloom in many familiar and unfamiliar locations between London and.... Shhhhh. TOP Secret.

That said, I can't possibly harvest or eat them all - though I'd like to - so, for one time only, I am willing to sell nicely detailed maps to 7 of the 8 patches* that I have found. But, for BIG bucks, 'cause I know how much some people love, just looove elderberries.

"Oh, where could this possibly be?" (Price negotiable)

More enticing photos from who knows where**:

"You'd better act sooon!"

*Map to #8, The Mother Lode, is mine, all mine. (As Lucy used to say, "All I want is my fair share. All I want is what's rightfully mine.")

**I know where : )

For a small clue, please link to Gord's Hop Farm 6.

Rare Photos by GH

Birds and Elderberries.

I Shall Return.

[Photo: Is this a young bird or one of the parents?]

I thought my motorcycle trip yesterday, to Belmont and Port Bruce, would include a stop to see dozens of young swallows "waiting at the door" (of mud nests) to be fed by anxious parents. I've only seen that spectacle once, and want to again. I stopped, I checked on the nests, but saw birds at only two of 90 houses (while scores were in the air around me).

Are the young ones gone already? (My last visit was 8 days earlier). Or are they still too young or small to climb out to the doorway to be fed? Or did the parents warn them of my arrival, so they stayed back from the door, well hidden?

I don't know, so I will return on Sunday.

Nearby I spotted elderberry bushes and immediately thought, "Elderberry pies in my future? I hope so. I shall keep my eye on these bushes too!"

 Elderberry bushes and mud nests (under the bridge,
background) are close to one another. Coincidence?

 Green berries are visible below the white floweret.

 One bush is ripening to purple. Will swallows beat me to it?

I think this is a parent standing on guard.

So, one of my favourite places to stop while motorcycling will - hopefully, hopefully - serve up two rarities in the near future. Young birds at the door and pies in the oven.

More to follow.

Please link to The Birds Have It.

Photos GH

doodle 7: cher lyn

Procrastinating and doodling go together. But after a lazy breakfast I’ll start fixing the back gate.

["I think I'll powder my nose."]

What jobs are you putting off at the moment?

[doodle by g.harrison]

***

Please click here to see doodle 6

Zoom w a View: Bumper elderberry crop for purple pies ahead

While motorcycling last Sunday I passed through elderberry country, SE of London, and stopped to see how healthy some of my favourite plants appeared.

in my opinion, with a bit more heat (you know, when summer arrives), folks who love purple pies as much as I do will find elderberry plants loaded to the max.


What are elderberries? A: Small, tart, purple berries that can be used in delicious pies and tarts and for unique syrups and wine.

Where can they be found? A: You need a good eye, but most plants are along fence lines in rural areas.


They're in bloom right now and easy to spot. The flowerets remind me of the wild carrot plant.

Where exactly? A: I'm not telling.

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