Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road


Patterns of Spring

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We find the works of nature still more pleasant, the more they resemble those of art.

~ Joseph Addison

This Spring has been incredibly beautiful here in the woods. Always a favorite time of year for me, it has been heightened by the almost perfect weather in recent weeks. The fresh green color of the season seems to sparkle in the sunlight streaming through the leaves. On the ground, there are daily discoveries to be made of something emerging from the leaf litter or starting to bloom. And while I have had plenty of chores and appointments to keep me occupied, I try to walk the yard as often as possible, and notice the players in this ephemeral show. If I pause and look around, there are always colors, shapes, and patterns that affirm that this is the month where new life bursts forth and beckons us to slow down and notice, before it disappears for another year.

Here are just a few indicators of the season from the past couple of weeks…

pawpaw flower and bud
The unusual flower of pawpaw (click photos to enlarge)
trillium leaves 1
Trillium leaves
fern fiddlehead
A fern fiddlehead
mayapple leaves
Mayapple leaves
red buckeye flowers up close
Red buckeye flowers up close
red buckeye flowers on duckweed
Red buckeye flowers that have fallen into the water garden onto a bed of duckweed
foamflower
Foamflower
tent caterpillar silhouette
Eastern tent caterpillar headed down a tree trunk to pupate
Phlox flowers
Phlox flowers
dutchman breech's leaves
The lacy leaves of Dutchman’s breeches
columbine flower
Wild columbine

Comments

8 responses to “Patterns of Spring”

  1. mary sonis Avatar
    mary sonis

    smitten with that Wild Columbine!

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      Definitely one of my favorites as well.

  2. Joy Avatar
    Joy

    Ah, Loveliness of spring captured close up. The beauty of our natural world such a gift.

    1. roadsendnaturalist Avatar

      It is indeed. Thanks, Joy.

  3. Tad Einloth Avatar
    Tad Einloth

    Beautiful pictures

  4. brucedana2015 Avatar

    I love all your posts Mike but there is a special place in my heart for your Macro work. Splendid!

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Roads End Naturalist

Exploring the natural world as we wander at the end of the road

Copyright Mike Dunn and Melissa Dowland