Bloodroot

Bloodroot in Woodlands, Madison Wisconsin

Bloodroot in Woodlands © 2011 Bo Mackison

Though finding flowers in bloom has been a bit of a challenge in Wisconsin this spring, I found several stands of bloodroot in the woodland area of the Allen Centennial Gardens at the university of Wisconsin in Madison. It’s name has nothing to do with “blood” — the sap of the flower is a bright red color, similar to the color of blood. The sap has been used as a dye by Native Americans.

Though it is typically found in the cooler, eastern regions of the United States and Canada, it can be found as far south and west as Texas. It is a common ephemeral flower in the woods of Wisconsin, blooming before the trees leaf out and block the sunlight from reaching the forest floor.

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I am back in Wisconsin after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona, and beginning to see hints of a late arriving Spring as she quietly tiptoes into Wisconsin.

 

 

Tiny Yellow Flowers

Rock Garden Flowers

Rock Garden Flowers © 2011 Bo Mackison

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds this morning for about an hour, and so we took advantage of the sunlight and went for a walk at the nearby Allen Centennial Gardens. The gardens, located on the urban campus of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, is home to a huge number of botanicals on a few acre lot.

There aren’t many flowers blooming except for the early spring bulbs — daffodils mostly– but the rock garden is showing the beginning signs of flowering. Several bunches of flowers, mostly in the draba family, had a few flowers in bloom, especially those blossoms that were sheltered from unpredictable weather by larger rocks.

If we have a couple of days of warm weather and sunshine, there are plenty of flowers with buds ready to pop. Should be a lovely sight when spring decides to stay.

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I am back in Wisconsin after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona. Still waiting, with bated breath, to see Spring tiptoe into Wisconsin.

Dogwood Blossom Variations

Dogwoods au Natural, Quincy Illinois

Dogwood au Natural © 2011 Bo Mackison

Looking at these dogwood blossoms in their natural color…

Dogwood Blossoms, Desaturated, Quincy, Illinois

Dogwood Blossoms, Desaturated © 2011 Bo Mackison

And in more muted tones…

Dogwood Flowers in Black and White, Quincy Illinois

Dogwood Flowers in Black and White © 2011 Bo Mackison

And in black and white.

Same flowers, but three different ways to view them. There are times when I love seeing the world in full, living color. Other times I prefer my world to be somewhat muted, a bit quieter. And once in a while I like the simplicity that black and white offers, a focus on the elemental shapes, fewer distractions.

Do you have a favorite? Or does your preference change depending on your mood? Do you ever use photographs like these as a focus for meditation or as a stepping stone to lose yourself in thought?

 

 

Narcissus, In Hiding

Narcissus, Spring Flower in Madison Wisconsin Garden

Narcissus, In Hiding © 2011 Bo Mackison

Usually these are perky spring flowers, eager and willing to stand erect, raise their faces towards the sun. But the daffodils are feeling a need for some protection, so they are bent low to the ground, staying closer to the warmer earth, staying out of the wind gusts.

Nature is filled with wisdom. When the wind dies down and the sun pops out of the clouds, these daffodils will pop right up too. Undefeated by a little fickle weather.

A good lesson to learn. When faced with blustery conditions, keep your head protected and weather the storm. When the wind shifts, and the skies show blue, you’ll be in position to take on the day with a smile and renewed determination.

 

Narcissus

Narcissus Macro

Narcissus Macro © 2011 Bo Mackison

The narcissus is a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings, a harbinger of spring. To many of us living in the northern climates, the narcissus–also called the daffodil– not only proclaims winter’s end, but gives us reason us to appreciate the present moment, this time of blossoming.

I have a bed of spring-flowering bulbs that is partially protected by the eaves of my house, and this afternoon I was able to take a few photographs of the garden flowers between raindrops and snowflakes. But I kept one eye on my botanical subjects and my other eye on the lightning streaking across the sky.

Once the hail started bouncing off the sidewalk and thunder began rumbling, I called an end to my outdoor photo-shoot, and decided I would continue to appreciate this spring moment from the interior–and safety–of my house.