Kaufmanniana Tulip © 2011 Bo Mackison

One of the earliest tulips to bloom is the Kaufmanniana Tulip. Due to its diminutive size–maybe 6 inches high–it is frequently planted in rock gardens. This tulip, one of the first in bloom in the garden, was photographed at Allen Centennial Park on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus.

Focus on Leaves © 2011 Bo Mackison

I found the mottled markings on the leaves almost as interesting as the flowers, but due to a cloud burst, I curtailed my photo session. Just didn’t feel like getting drenched without warm clothes available and the temperatures were dropping to the lower 40s. [Reminder to self: put rain clothes in back of car.]

When the sun makes an appearance, I’m going back to capture some tulip leaf photographs. Or after I buy a sturdy pair of rain boots!

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Bo Mackison is a photographer and the owner of Seeded Earth Studio LLC. Bo is back in Wisconsin after spending the first part of 2011 in Arizona. She is watching as Spring tiptoes into Wisconsin.