Blackberry picking is an iconic part of late summer in this part of Oregon. It's going to be REALLY late summer this year. We need some hot days, because most of the bushes are still in this state:
Lovely to look at, not so delightful to hold. (You really have to watch those thorns.)
And not very many ready to eat. There are tons of bushes on the border of the RV Park. This morning I managed to find a scant cupful of ripe berries.
Just right for breakfast, but I wonder if there will be enough this year for those who still like to make jam and freeze them.
Unless it warms up pretty soon, this just may be the year of the green blackberry.
Not many blackberries for you, but pretty flowers to feed the bees.
Posted by: Francisca | August 25, 2011 at 08:40 AM
The bumble bee says, hmmm, it taste sweet!
The flowers look like rock roses.
Posted by: Ebie | August 24, 2011 at 06:53 PM
As usual, I like your shots, Sallie ! And I like too blackberry jam. Here they are not full ripe. I look at them, waiting the good moment !
Posted by: Annie | August 24, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Ours were ripening in mid-July while the girls were here. They loved picking them.
Hope you get some warm weather. It would be a shame if the bees did all that work for nothing. :)
Posted by: Carletta | August 23, 2011 at 09:25 PM
Hi Salli, Lovely flowers and yummy blackberry's for the tummy and plenty of nectar for the bees.. isn't Mother Nature marvelous.
hugs,
Pam
Posted by: Pam | August 23, 2011 at 12:41 PM
They say that this summer is an unusually cool one here in northern California too. The tomatoes and Gravenstein apples are just now ready. Usually they are ripe in July. I hope your blackberries get enough sun to make it.
Posted by: Margot | August 23, 2011 at 08:38 AM
Great shots of the blackberry blossoms. Mine were much earlier than usual this year and are now all gone.
Posted by: Carver | August 23, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Everything is late this year here in northern Idaho, also. I have been picking dewberries-a wild blackberry which trails on the ground-on my walks. I eat as I pick, and none come home!
In your mosaic, the one that's not like the others is a favorite flower of mine, I love the fragrance! It grows in ditches and fence lines around here.
Posted by: Dimple | August 23, 2011 at 06:09 AM
isn't it amazing how cruel mother nature has been this year? you in the NW have had such a cool and damp summer. we in the SW are dying in the heat and drought. MW flooded. NE boiled in a heat wave. just wish we could throw it all in a blender and even it out a bit!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | August 23, 2011 at 04:39 AM
green blackberries could become the new gourmet treat :)
Posted by: dianne | August 23, 2011 at 03:22 AM
I love the blackberries too but we have competion with the birds who also love them. The flowers look pretty. Have a great day, Sallie!
Posted by: Eileen | August 23, 2011 at 01:50 AM
Lovely photos; I enjoy walking along quiet road edges in late summer and picking the juicy ripe blackberries.
Posted by: Marilyn | August 23, 2011 at 01:39 AM
I love blackberries very much, but I don't think they grow here.
Posted by: Gattina | August 23, 2011 at 12:32 AM
While many other bloggers are complaining of the heat, but not me. (yet) I love blackberries but no bushes around here. The flowers are pretty and I hope they turn into ripe fruit.
Posted by: diane | August 22, 2011 at 11:44 PM
It's weird-Midlands blackberries are nearly over. I was picking a few on an evening walk yesterday, but few are left! Today, it's dropped to 15C after 23C yesterday!
Posted by: Hazel | August 22, 2011 at 11:33 PM