For this week’s challenge, Amy sends a colorful April “Hello” from Texas and quotes Rachel Carson:
“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature–
the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.”
Here in Wisconsin, the temperatures are just starting to creep up into true Springtime levels. This morning, there was no frost on the ground, so the maple syrup season will start to taper off, and soon April will show off her new spring colors. Last year, we had a late snow storm that caused a major interruption in spring growth. The first brood of sandhill crane chicks on this property died, the deer ate all the tulip shoots, and my garden planting energy never really recovered. Here’s a contrasting shot of the last two years in the turkey mating season.
I’m looking forward to seeing the forsythia bloom.
I am looking forward to seeing the first woodland wildflowers take their brief turn on the forest stage.
Snowdrops
Spring Beauty
Mayapple
Mayapple
Trout lily
Anemones
Wood anemone
Round-lobed Hepatica
How this Spring will actually unfold, however, is uncertain. Instability in our global climate has resulted in unprecedented changes that manifest locally in more alarming ways each year. I am not sure who April will be when I meet her this year. However, I will surely observe and photograph her, and find her beautiful.
There is something infinitely healing, I believe, in accepting Nature in all her autonomy and taking responsibility for the ways we abuse her.
scillagrace 
Faced with the unknown, we can still love and create. Thank you for reminding us of this!
Thanks for visiting here, my friend. How’s the syrup season going for you?
It looks like spring is coming soon and will bring beautiful colors to Wisconsin! Lovely flower photos, Scilla. 🙂
I’m always so happy to see these amazing little friends emerge, and I take pictures of them every year. It’s good that my software dates them for me so that I can compare bloom dates.
Lovely post. Love the way you give April personality. 😊
Well, I’ve known her for 56 years now, so she’s a true friend. Thanks for your visit!
😊
This is an important, meaningful and strong post. ❤
"I am not sure who April will be when I meet her this year. However, I will surely observe and photograph her, and find her beautiful." Ahhhh! Says so much, about you and all this that we have.
I believe in cycles. I depend on cycles. We all do. We will see soon how strong they are.
We do live in cycles. Comparing the differences in each revolution is how we learn about ourselves and the world around us. Thanks for visiting and commenting, friend!
Lovely post. Watching the tiny wonders of April is happiness.
Indeed. Wonders never cease!
Beautifully shot and your last paragraph is SO well said!
Thanks, Tina. I have to be serious about reality, and I still choose to appreciate and love the world. It’s a conscious Middle Way.