Anticipation in full bloom

  

 Since late spring Bellingham’s ubiquitous blackberry vines have been reaching out and snagging the shirts and pants of hikers, inattentive newcomers, and even the occasional squirrel-chasing Border Collie.

Now they’re in full bloom, precursors to blackberry jams, toppings, cobblers. In a month we’ll be braving the thorny accumulations, sorting, reaching high and deep, and tasting the best of the juiciest, before the crows and ravens leave us the dregs.                                                                  

These photos are from a couple of our favorite caches.

Number one rule when harvesting - no berry is plump or juicy-looking enough to be picked below knee-high - or a herding dog's nose.