And the drought keeps on.

It is unbelievable, but the precipitation deficit in the Netherlands has risen to a record high of 300. From the past 100 years 2018 is already in the Top 5 of driest summers. The absolute record so far is still in the year 1976, but 2018 still has a chance to break this. Much depends on what happens in the month of August and September in terms of rainfall.

Because it can be called a 'rare natural phenomenon' I could not resist looking at a place that is close to my heart. The Maashorst in Schaijk (North Brabant). A beautiful nature reserve, where I grew up, as it were. A nature reserve where nature normally shows a lot of variety, and it is always wonderfully green.

Only, it looks so different. So weird ... it's dry, I expected that, of course. It is dry everywhere ... but that it would have such a great impact on the nature there. I guess, I wasn't that prepared to see this at all. I just did not expect it this way. It just looks surreal for me. A landscape like I don't know ... it's burnt, dry and dead ... Much trees are trying to survive, and have colors as if it is late autumn! And I can't help, but wonder what the consequences of this drought are.

Will our precious nature be good again next year? How many trees are really going to die? How much damage does this drought yield to nature? Can the wisents, Scottish highlanders and ponies that they put out there for grazing still find their food? Are they being fed?

^{Image from winter 2016}

Is the heather plant still going to come in bloom or are they completely dead? Is it a beautiful purple plain full of flowering heather plants in a few weeks, or does it look even more sad than it looks right now?

So many questions, but the answers are not that easy. For the answers on some questions the only thing we can do is wait.

And eventually ... Time will tell!