Bloodroot

April 24, 2011 by 8 Comments
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.

 

 

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Narcissus, In Hiding

April 21, 2011 by 4 Comments
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.

 

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Narcissus

April 19, 2011 by 9 Comments
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.

 

 

 

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Snow Slammed

December 14, 2010 by 11 Comments
Snow Slammed Birch

Snow Slammed © 2010 Bo Mackison

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines. ~ Henry David Thoreau

I did tramp through the heavy snow, eighteen inches deep in the drifts, and in below zero weather, the air cold enough to turn my exposed fingers to stone, to keep my own appointment with my favorite tree in the yard, the paper birch.

Mr. Thoreau and I agree — a tree is a most delightful acquaintance.

 

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November and Nothingness

November 23, 2010 by 14 Comments

November © 2010 Bo Mackison

November is all about this world wasting away, vanishing, and about us getting used to the nothingness, used to saying good bye.  ~ Vivian Swift

On Decluttering:  I may choose never to declutter the interior of my home. Not when nature does such an obsessive job of decluttering the out of doors in November. All that was lush and green, all the gardens that were thick with a multitude of colorful flowers, all gone. Just gone. My outdoors world is now wearing the fashionable look of uncluttered. My maple and oak trees are bare.

No. No inside decluttering for me right now. I need a little clutter in my life, and my outsides are feeling all too barren.

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