Spring, Spring, Spring

It wasn’t that long ago that we had 17 inches of fresh snow on the ground, but now spring has arrived in full force. Suddenly tree buds, like this bitternut hickory, are swelling –

The apple trees are leafing-out and showing their pink flower buds –

The aspens are in bloom –

And the ephemeral wildflowers are beginning to bloom. Trout lily –

Dutchman’s breeches –

Bloodroot –

And rue anemone –

Spring beauty is one of the really early bloomers –

But it was rivaled last week by the white flowers of a round-lobed hepatica –

A lot of trees and shrubs are flowering. Spicebush –

Box elder –

And the brilliant white blossoms of fire (or pin, or bird if you prefer) cherry were highlighted against a white pine –

The flowers are even more beautiful when seen up close –

Although some painted turtles were sunning back in February when the temperature was unseasonably warm, now they’ve all emerged to bask on fallen trees in shallow ponds.

Spring wildflowers will soon be blooming in profusion, coming so rapidly that it will be hard to keep up.