This time of year the phrase “turning over a new leaf” should maybe, instead, be “growing a new leaf.” When I slow down and just see my surroundings, the changes over the past two months are mind-boggling: from shades of gray and deep snow to deep shades of green. Green everywhere, layer upon layer of it, seemingly endless.

All is a response to sunlight of course, plants being the ultimate in solar collectors, converting energy into life. And the plants quickly become food for insects and they then feed the birds and so on and so forth. It all just works.

Even given the obvious changes we humans have brought to the planet, I still marvel at the beauty and diversity of life this time of year, especially the new leaves. Each in their own way and time, unfurled to capture the sun’s energy and provide what is needed for the plant’s sustenance in the year ahead.

There are few color combinations more gorgeous, in my optinion, than new leaves, back-lit by the sun, against a blue sky!

And, of course, it all happens so quickly. I’ll make a point to get out as often as I can this week while this magic is still happening.

24 May This entry was published on May 24, 2026 at 10:49 am. It’s filed under John Snell, John Snell Photographer, Leaves, Patterns, Spring, Trees, Vermont, www.johnsnell.photography and tagged leaves, solar energy. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.