The year is but a succession of days,
and I see that I could assign some office to each day
which, summed up, would be the history of the year.
Henry Thoreau, August 24, 1852
These are afternoons
when you expect a thunder-
shower before night.
May 29, 1853
The white maple keys
fall and float down the stream like
wings of great insects.
I sit on Lee's Cliff
looking into the light and
dark eye of the lake.
May 29, 2015
Sunniness in shadows
of freshly expanded leaves –
these first bright flashings
like the glances of
an eye from under the dark
eyelashes of June.
May 29, 1857
With all this opportunity, this comedy and tragedy, how near all men come to doing nothing! May 29, 1857
A still, clear air in which the hum of insects is heard, and the sunniness contrasts with the shadows of the freshly expanded foliage, like the glances of an eye from under the dark eyelashes of June. May 29, 1857
The sun came out an hour or more ago, rapidly drying the foliage, and for the first time this year I noticed the little shades produced by the foliage which had expanded in the rain, and long narrow dark lines of shade along the hedges or willow-rows. May 29, 1857
It was like the first bright flashings of an eye from under dark eyelashes after shedding warm tears. May 29, 1857
Fogs this and yesterday morning. May 29, 1852
These last two days, with their sultry, hazy air, are the first that suggest the expression “the furnace-like heat.” Bathing has begun. May 29, 1853
Place my hat lightly on my head that the air may circulate beneath. May 29, 1853
Cattle stand in the river by the bridge for coolness. May 29, 1853
These last two days, with their sultry, hazy air, are the first that suggest the expression “the furnace-like heat.” Bathing has begun. May 29, 1853
Place my hat lightly on my head that the air may circulate beneath. May 29, 1853
Cattle stand in the river by the bridge for coolness. May 29, 1853
Saw male and female wood tortoise in a meadow . . .They are the most of a land turtle except the box turtle. May 29, 1860
We proceeded to the Cooper’s hawk nest .. . .I climbed to the nest, some thirty to thirty-five feet high in a white pine, against the main stem. May 29, 1860
Some eighteen feet high in a white pine in a swamp in the oak meadow lot, I climbed to a red squirrel’s nest. May 29, 1860
We next proceeded to the marsh hawk’s nest from which the eggs were taken a fortnight ago and the female shot. Yet here was the male, hovering anxiously over the spot and neighborhood and scolding at us. May 29, 1860
In a tall pine wood on a hill . . . I climbed to a nest high in a white pine, apparently a crow’s just completed, as it were on a squirrel’s nest for a foundation. May 29, 1860
In another white pine nearby, some thirty feet up it, I found a gray squirrel’s nest, with young about as big as the red squirrels were, but yet blind May 29, 1860
I have thus found three squirrels’ nests this year, two gray and one red, in these masses of twigs and leaves and bark exposed in the tree-tops . May 29, 1860
We next proceeded to the marsh hawk’s nest from which the eggs were taken a fortnight ago and the female shot. Yet here was the male, hovering anxiously over the spot and neighborhood and scolding at us. May 29, 1860
In a tall pine wood on a hill . . . I climbed to a nest high in a white pine, apparently a crow’s just completed, as it were on a squirrel’s nest for a foundation. May 29, 1860
In another white pine nearby, some thirty feet up it, I found a gray squirrel’s nest, with young about as big as the red squirrels were, but yet blind May 29, 1860
I have thus found three squirrels’ nests this year, two gray and one red, in these masses of twigs and leaves and bark exposed in the tree-tops . May 29, 1860
What is the new warbler I see and hear frequently now, with apparently a black head, white side-head, brown back, forked tail, and light legs? May 29, 1857
The leaves now conceal the warblers, etc., considerably. You can see them best in white oaks, etc., not maples and birches. May 29, 1860
There are a great many birds now on the Island Neck. May 29, 1855
The birds sing more lively than ever now after the rain, though it is only 2 p. m. May 29, 1857
I hear from vireos (probably red-eyes) in woods a fine harsh note, perhaps when angry with each other May 29, 1860
The red-eye, its clear loud song in bars continuously repeated and varied; all tempered white beneath and dark yellow olive above and on edge of wings, with a dark line on side-head or from root of bill; dusky claws, and a very long bill. The long bill and the dark line on the side of the head, with the white above and beneath, or in the midst of the white, giving it a certain oblong, swelled-cheek look, would distinguish on a side view. May 29, 1855
There is also the warbling vireo, with its smooth-flowing, continuous, one-barred, shorter strain, with methinks a dusky side-head. May 29, 1855
Also the yellow-throated vireo—its strain but little varied and short, not continuous. May 29, 1855
The leaves now conceal the warblers, etc., considerably. You can see them best in white oaks, etc., not maples and birches. May 29, 1860
There are a great many birds now on the Island Neck. May 29, 1855
The birds sing more lively than ever now after the rain, though it is only 2 p. m. May 29, 1857
I hear from vireos (probably red-eyes) in woods a fine harsh note, perhaps when angry with each other May 29, 1860
The red-eye, its clear loud song in bars continuously repeated and varied; all tempered white beneath and dark yellow olive above and on edge of wings, with a dark line on side-head or from root of bill; dusky claws, and a very long bill. The long bill and the dark line on the side of the head, with the white above and beneath, or in the midst of the white, giving it a certain oblong, swelled-cheek look, would distinguish on a side view. May 29, 1855
There is also the warbling vireo, with its smooth-flowing, continuous, one-barred, shorter strain, with methinks a dusky side-head. May 29, 1855
Also the yellow-throated vireo—its strain but little varied and short, not continuous. May 29, 1855
How still the hot noon; people have retired behind blinds. May 29, 1853 I see men and women through open windows in white undress taking their Sunday-afternoon nap, overcome with heat. May 29, 1853
A fine-grained air, June-like, after a cloudy, rain- threatening or rainy morning. May 29, 1857
Yet the kingbird — lively bird, with white belly and tail edged with white, and with its lively twittering— stirs and keeps the air brisk. May 29, 1853
I see the tanager hoarsely warbling in the shade; the surprising red bird … It appears as if he loved to contrast himself with the green of the forest. May 29, 1853
The barrenest pastures wear now a green and luxuriant aspect. May 29, 1853
I see the first swamp sparrow of the season, and probably heard its loud song; Low, amid the alders. May 29, 1855
A cuckoo’s note, loud and hollow, from a wood-side. May 29, 1856
I see and hear the cuckoo. May 29, 1857
I hear the quails nowadays while surveying. May 29, 1852
The republican swallow at Hosmer's barn just begun to lay. May 29, 1859
Yet the kingbird — lively bird, with white belly and tail edged with white, and with its lively twittering— stirs and keeps the air brisk. May 29, 1853
I see the tanager hoarsely warbling in the shade; the surprising red bird … It appears as if he loved to contrast himself with the green of the forest. May 29, 1853
The barrenest pastures wear now a green and luxuriant aspect. May 29, 1853
I see the first swamp sparrow of the season, and probably heard its loud song; Low, amid the alders. May 29, 1855
A cuckoo’s note, loud and hollow, from a wood-side. May 29, 1856
I see and hear the cuckoo. May 29, 1857
I hear the quails nowadays while surveying. May 29, 1852
The republican swallow at Hosmer's barn just begun to lay. May 29, 1859
I see many of those round, white, pigeon-egg fungi in the grass since the rains. Do they become puffballs? May 29, 1853
Fine red mammilla galls stud the black cherry leaves. Galls begin with the very unfolding of the leaves. May 29, 1857
Cherry-birds on the apple trees May 29, 1856
Fine red mammilla galls stud the black cherry leaves. Galls begin with the very unfolding of the leaves. May 29, 1857
Cherry-birds on the apple trees May 29, 1856
That willow by the rock south of Island (of May 2d) appears to be without doubt the Salix sericea, — the leaves beginning to turn black quite soon, and the bark is very bitter. May 29, 1855
There is, then, another small willow or sallow with narrower and shining leaves, very common along river, with longer catkins and very long tapering smooth pods, —I mean the one I have associated with the S. alba. May 29, 1855
The Salix nigra, apparently several days, at Corner Bridge. May 29, 1857
Buttonwood, one tree, not for two or three days. May 29, 1858
And now and for some days the bunches of effete white ash anthers strew the ground. May 29, 1857
Black shrub oaks well out. May 29, 1857
It is encouraging to see thrifty-growing white pines . . . which have added three feet to their height the last year. May 29, 1857
And now and for some days the bunches of effete white ash anthers strew the ground. May 29, 1857
Black shrub oaks well out. May 29, 1857
It is encouraging to see thrifty-growing white pines . . . which have added three feet to their height the last year. May 29, 1857
Common crataegus, apparently some days. May 29, 1856
The Cratægus Crus-Galli this side the Holden place on left, probably yesterday, thorns three inches long, flowers with anthers not conspicuously red. May 29, 1853
The Cratægus Crus-Galli this side the Holden place on left, probably yesterday, thorns three inches long, flowers with anthers not conspicuously red. May 29, 1853
Thorn bushes and the Ranunculus bulbosus are apparently in prime. May 29, 1859
Ranunculus bulbosus in bloom; saxifrage; and various ferns, as spleenwort, etc. May 29, 1857
Ranunculus repens (sepals not recurved and leaves a spotted look), apparently a day. May 29, 1856
Where you find a rare flower, expect to find more rare ones. May 29, 1856
What a flowery place, a vale of Enna, is that meadow! May 29, 1856
Found a painted-cup with more yellow than usual in it, and at length Edith found one perfectly yellow. May 29, 1856
Painted Cup, Erigeron bellidifolius, Thalictrum dioicum, Viola Muhlenbergii, fringed polygala, buck-bean, pedicularis, orobanche, etc., etc. May 29, 1856
Painted Cup, Erigeron bellidifolius, Thalictrum dioicum, Viola Muhlenbergii, fringed polygala, buck-bean, pedicularis, orobanche, etc., etc. May 29, 1856
Saw, in a shaded swamp beyond, the Stellaria borealis, still out, — large, broadish leaves. May 29, 1860
The wild asparagus beyond Hunt’s Bridge will apparently open in two days. May 29, 1860
Two Arethusa bulbosa at Hubbard’s Close apparently a day or two. May 29, 1856
Arethusa bulbosa, well out. May 29, 1858
Golden senecio there, a day or two, at least. May 29, 1856
White clover. May 29, 1856
Oxalis stricta. May 29, 1857
Fields are whitened with mouse-ear gone to seed —a mass of white fuzz blowing off one side — and also with dandelion globes of seeds. May 29, 1853
Dandelions and mouse-ear down have been blowing for some time and are seen on water. May 29, 1854
Geum rivale, well out. May 29, 1856
Juniperus communis, a day or two at least, probably more. May 29, 1856
The Viola debilis near west end of Holden farm in meadow south side of road. May 29, 1853
Saw sanicle well flower-budded. May 29, 1856
Azalea nudiflora in garden. May 29, 1855
The Polygonatum pubescens out there. May 29, 1857
Dandelions and mouse-ear down have been blowing for some time and are seen on water. May 29, 1854
Geum rivale, well out. May 29, 1856
Juniperus communis, a day or two at least, probably more. May 29, 1856
The Viola debilis near west end of Holden farm in meadow south side of road. May 29, 1853
Saw sanicle well flower-budded. May 29, 1856
Azalea nudiflora in garden. May 29, 1855
The Polygonatum pubescens out there. May 29, 1857
Some, nay most, Turritis stricta quite out of bloom. May 29, 1857
Calla apparently in two or three, or three or four days, the very earliest. May 29, 1858
A few of the Cornus florida buds by the pond have escaped after all. May 29, 1858
Cornus Canadensis blooms apparently with C. florida; not quite yet. May 29, 1858
How universal that strawberry-like fragrance of the fir-balsam cone and wilted twig! May 29, 1857
I perceive the buttery-like scent of barberry bloom from over the rock, May 29, 1857
Barberry in bloom, wild pinks, and blue-eyed grass. May 29, 1852
That exceedingly neat and interesting little flower blue-eyed grass now claims our attention. May 29, 1853
Blue-eyed grass, probably to-morrow. May 29, 1856
Raspberry out. May 29, 1853
Rubus triflorus, well out, at Calla Swamp, how long? May 29, 1858
Thimble-berry two or three days. May 29, 1853
Wild roses budded before you know it — will be out often before you know they are budded. May 29, 1853
Spergularia rubra, spurry sandwort, in the roadside ditch on left just beyond A. Hosmer's hill; also Veronica peregrina (?) a good while. May 29, 1853
The thyme-leaved veronica shows its modest face in little crescent-shaped regiments in every little hollow in the pastures where there is moisture, and around stumps and in the road ditches. May 29, 1853
The Veronica serpyllifolia, now erect, is commonly found in moist depressions or hollows in the pastures. May 29, 1857
I mistook dense groves of little barberries in the droppings of cows in the Boulder Field for apple trees at first. May 29, 1858
See the genista, winter-killed at top, some seven or eight rods north of the southernmost large boulder in the Boulder Field. May 29, 1858
Cannot find any large corydalis plants where it has been very plenty. May 29, 1858
Red and black oaks are out at Lee's Cliff, well out, and already there are crimson spots on the red oak leaves. May 29, 1857
As I stand on the rocks, examining the blossoms of some forward black oaks which close overhang it, I think I hear the sound of flies against my hat. No, it is scattered raindrops. May 29, 1857
The drops fall thicker, and I seek a shelter under the Cliffs. May 29, 1857
Soon I hear the low all-pervading hum of an approaching hummingbird circling above the rock, . . . presently the hum becomes more sharp and thrilling, and the little fellow suddenly perches on an ash twig within a rod of me, and plumes himself while the rain is fairly beginning. He is quite out of proportion to the size of his perch. It does not acknowledge his weight. May 29, 1857
Suddenly perching
a hummingbird plumes himself.
The rain beginning,
I sit at my ease and look out from under my lichen-clad rocky roof, half-way up the Cliff, under freshly leafing ash and hickory trees on to the pond, while the rain is falling faster and faster, and I am rather glad of the rain, which affords me this experience. May 29, 1857
Those great hickory buds, how much they contained! You see now the large reddish scales turned back at the base of the new twigs. May 29, 1857
The rain has compelled me to find the cosiest and most homelike part of all the Cliff. May 29, 1857
The surface of the pond, though the rain dimples it all alike and I perceive no wind, is still divided into irregular darker and lighter spaces, with distinct boundaries, as it were watered all over. May 29, 1857
I find here sheltered with me a sweet-briar growing in a cleft of the rock above my head, where perhaps some bird or squirrel planted it. May 29, 1857
Mulleins beneath. Galium Aparine, just begun to bloom, growing next the rock; and, in the earth-filled clefts, columbines, some of whose cornucopias strew the ground. May 29, 1857
Some of these plants are never rained on. May 29, 1857
A mosquito, sole living inhabitant of this antrum, settles on my hand. May 29, 1857
There are myriads of shad-flies fluttering over the dark and still water under the hill, one every yard or two, continually descending, almost falling, to the surface of the water as if to drink and then rising again, again to fall upon it, and so on. May 29, 1854
Now comes along a large dragon-fly and snatches one. May 29, 1854
Other smaller insects, light-colored, are fluttering low close to the water, and in some places are swarms of small black moths. May 29, 1854
The white maple keys have begun to fall and float down the stream like the wings of great insects. May 29, 1854
Fair Haven Lake now, at 4.30 p. m., is perfectly smooth, reflecting the darker and glowing June clouds as it has not before. May 29, 1857
Now I see a great dark low-arching cloud in the northwest already dropping rain there and steadily sweeping southeast, as I go over the first Conantum Hill from the spring. May 29, 1857
Other smaller insects, light-colored, are fluttering low close to the water, and in some places are swarms of small black moths. May 29, 1854
The white maple keys have begun to fall and float down the stream like the wings of great insects. May 29, 1854
Fair Haven Lake now, at 4.30 p. m., is perfectly smooth, reflecting the darker and glowing June clouds as it has not before. May 29, 1857
Now I see a great dark low-arching cloud in the northwest already dropping rain there and steadily sweeping southeast, as I go over the first Conantum Hill from the spring. May 29, 1857
May 29, 2024
These are afternoons when you expect a thunder-shower before night; the outlines of cloudy cumuli are dimly seen through the hazy, furnace-like air, rising in the west. May 29, 1853
It is a first regular summer thunder-shower, preceded by a rush of wind. . .And now the forked flashes descending to the earth succeed rapidly to the hollow roars above, and down comes the deluging rain. May 29, 1857
The air at length is cool and chilly, the atmosphere is darkened, and I have forgotten the smooth pond and its reflections. May 29, 1857
The rock feels cold to my body, as if it were a different season of the year. May 29, 1857
You were not aware what a sound the rain made. May 29, 1857
In the evening and during the night the ring of the toads fills the air. May 29, 1853
The air at length is cool and chilly, the atmosphere is darkened, and I have forgotten the smooth pond and its reflections. May 29, 1857
The rock feels cold to my body, as if it were a different season of the year. May 29, 1857
You were not aware what a sound the rain made. May 29, 1857
In the evening and during the night the ring of the toads fills the air. May 29, 1853
I sit on the top of Lee's Cliff, looking into the light and dark eye of the lake. May 29, 1857
The woods are dripping wet, the hemlocks' bright new growth just beginning to show. Along the cliff edge three lady's slippers bloom. The hermit thrush sings. May 29, 2016
*****
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, blue-eyed grass
The shadows of the freshly expanded foliage, like the glances of an eye from under the dark eyelashes of June. See June 4, 1855 ("dark shadows on field and wood are the more remarkable by contrast with the light yellow-green foliage now, and when they rest on evergreens they are doubly dark, like dark rings about the eyes of June."); June 9. 1856 ("Now I notice where an elm is in the shadow of a cloud,—the black elm-tops and shadows of June. It is a dark eyelash which suggests a flashing eye beneath.”); June 11, 1856 (“I observe and appreciate the shade, as it were the shadow of each particular leaf on the ground. . . . It reminds me of the thunder-cloud and the dark eyelash of summer.”). See also .note to June 6, 1855 ("The dark eye and shade of June”).
Looking into the light and dark eye of the lake. See June 26, 1852 ("The smooth reflecting surface of woodland lakes . . . Those liquid eyes of nature, blue or black or even hazel, deep or shallow, clear or turbid; green next the shore, the color of their iris.”)
Looking into the light and dark eye of the lake. See June 26, 1852 ("The smooth reflecting surface of woodland lakes . . . Those liquid eyes of nature, blue or black or even hazel, deep or shallow, clear or turbid; green next the shore, the color of their iris.”)
Lady-slippers bloom
in the damp evening woods as
the hermit thrush sings.
May 29, 2016
zphx
May 29, 2015
If you make the least correct
observation of nature this year,
you will have occasion to repeat it
with illustrations the next,
and the season and life itself is prolonged.
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, May 29
A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau
"A book, each page written in its own season,out-of-doors, in its own locality.”~edited, assembled and rewritten by zphx © 2009-2024
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