Gotcha! Hepatica

We have a few trilliums in our yard, transplanted years ago from the woods. I think this little wildflower stowed away in the transport ... I'm not sure how else it would have arrived at the foot of our foundation. I realized recently that it's one I'd seen at Niquette Bay State Park, but not been able to identify (see my old post on the topic).

Since that time, though, I've gotten a wildflower identification book from my wonderful husband. I highly recommend it for any of you Vermont woods-walkers. It's Wildflowers of Vermont by Kate Carter. It's organized by color and size of plant, making identification quick and easy. The photos are fantastic, and all from Vermont. It's small and covered with a durable plastic cover, perfect to slip into your backpack or even a pocket.

So, the answer is: Round-lobed Hepatica. I was stumped at first because our Hepatica is white, but the book has the pink version. Luckily, the ones I saw at Niquette were just slightly pink ... a clue for me to thumb through the pink section in search of this lovely little early bloomer. Gotcha!

Bird

Bird perched on my knee

I feel your flutters and fears

Fly, little boy, fly

Light Bulbs

Our crocuses are finally blooming and they're providing a much needed bright spot in a pretty grey landscape. Spring is coming, but it's coming in fits and starts, and the flowers seem to know it as well as we do. The snow is finally gone, though, and the daylillies are really starting to jump up. I've noticed buds on the lilac bushes and the tulips are inching their way up. I can't wait to really get out into the yard ... and spend an afternoon or two raking, digging, weeding, planting. Bring it, spring.

Brrrrr-ing on Spring

This pretty much sums things up.

It was a cold winter and now we're having a cold spring. This week we were duped by a day of 80 degree warmth followed by a snowstorm and cold snap. The bulbs are following the light and springing up anyway and I sometimes feel like holding my hands over them for warmth like they're some small, green fire.