Chokecherry before blooming – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last week I stopped to take photos of a Western Chokecherry because I could see that there were flower buds on it and I want to follow this chokecherry this year. Last year this chokecherry started to bloom then the blossoms shriveled and fell off before they set fruit due to our ongoing drought. I don’t know what will happen this year. We are still in a drought but there has been some moisture this spring where the chokecherry is located.
When I looked at the photos I took of this chokecherry I can see that a few leaves already show some damage and that some of the flower buds are brown which is not a good sign.
Various species of birds and animals depend of the fruits of chokecherries and other fruiting trees and shrubs which means that I pay close attention to them all. In nature, everything is connected.
Close up of Chokecherry before blooming – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Last year fruit production was severely affected by the ongoing drought conditions in chokecherry, currant, serviceberry, snowberry, hawthorn and other trees and shrubs that I come across in the field in northern Utah. Many of the migrant birds that nest here rely on those fruits to fuel up before they migrate out of the area in the fall.
I hope that this chokecherry blooms, sets fruit and that the fruit ripens this year. The same goes for the other fruiting trees and shrubs. I really don’t want to see a repeat of last year because it stresses the migrant and resident birds and animals.
We needed more snow than we got this past winter and we need more spring rains before the heat of summer hits. Will we get enough? I just don’t know.
Mia
Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos.
Fingers and toes crossed. Tightly.
I love chokecherries, I tried to plant one in my yard but it was too shaddy from our giant cherry tree and the neighbors giant gaarage. It did not survive I hope they produce fruit this year. The damage on the tips could be frost damage too. We had that odd cold snap the day after Mother’s Day.
Hoping against hope that you get some more moisture and have a “fruit-full” season. Our fire season is already well underway out here.
Stunning shot of such an important plant for birds.