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.