“It is spring again. The earth is like a child that knows poems by heart.”
― Rainer Maria Rilke

One of the unique features about the area that I live is that it is surrounded by pockets of what is known as “Carolinian Forest”, that is, many of the plants and animals in the area can usually be found in the warmer climates of Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio.

This means that I have access to plants and wildlife not normally associated with Canada. I suppose to this point I have pretty much taken that for granted. But now, as I focus more and more on the complex ecosystems within this biosphere, I appreciate it more and more.

I have also become quite attuned to the progressions of these plants. Meaning; when I notice one blooming, I have a good sense when the next species will bloom and start actively looking for them. The sequence begins with Coltsfoot, the first yellow flowers of the season, followed by Blue Cohosh, and the Virginia Spring Beauty pictured above.

Spring Beauties are just that, beautiful, delicate plants with lovely flowers which vary a bit between pink and light purple. Around here, they seem to prefer growing at the base of beech trees. I enjoy them so much because they are the first real show of colour, other than yellow, to emerge from the cover of dead leaves.

Nikon D800
Tamron SP AF 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 (272ENII)@90mm
1/80 sec, f/45.0 ISO 400

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