It has not been especially warm here in North Carolina this week but it is warmer than Vermont! The trees and a few wildflowers are the best indicators that spring is well underway.
Red Maple (Acer rubrum) is in full bloom with some trees already maturing seeds. A delight to see Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica), Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis acuta) and Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) all poking up through the oak leaves.
Pussy willow (Salix) is lovely backlit by the sun.
A shoot of Common Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) backlit by the sun sparkling off the river.
Still Learning To See 
John, beautiful early spring pictures.
Oh, I LOVE the pussy willow picture–my mother used to bring some inside and “force” it, along with forsythia. As a child, I was amazed to touch the softness of those buds–thanks for the reminder 🙂
Julia, the Pussy Willows are still a soft and lovely as can be—I tested them by rubbing them on Lily’s nose and she approved. Kate, I think Vermont, especially in the “Banana Belt,” is not far behind North Carolina. I read today that Woodcocks were singing in Orwell.
Both pictures are exquisite, John. Oh my! It’s as if your ability to capture goes beyond the eye…and to the heart. Thank you!
John,
In this busy life, I just caught sight of your March 6 pussy willow photo, and recalled — My goodness, we have a lusty specimen growing by the corner of a shed close by… why don’t I take a cutting right now and force it along? That’s what I’ll do. Walking in the thinning snow yesterday, thoughts came to me of earliest wild edible growth; I suppose wild leeks first. I trek every year over hill and dale to a certain spot, not too far, for first diggings. Can’t call it a rite. It’s just what I do, every year. Wild leeks, fiddleheads, lambs quarters … all coming along in their due order. As plain in their place as tying shoelaces.
Thank you Jules. I look forward to digging some leeks with you soon!