A much needed shower of rain left the orchard sparkling in the sun.

 

 

Each variety of apple has slightly different characteristics of growth, habit, leaf or blossom. This is Keswick Codlin, which has juicy yellow-green fruit with a slight sherbet tang.  It’s one of the earliest into flower here so it’s vulnerable to late frosts. Many of the petals show touches of cold damage but the stamens are still yellow so there’s hope for a good crop yet.

 

(Click for a closer view)

This is Katy, a Swedish variety recommended for cooler climates.  The fruit are bright red and shiny, like something out of a children’s picture book. It’s tempting to see the dense-packed blossom as promise of fruit to come but I mustn’t count my apples before they’re set.