Spring wildflowers

Wildflowers are blooming at Smith Lake.  The back yard is dotted with White Dogtooth Violets.  They are naturalized through the lawn and many will succumb to the lawn mower once they have finished blooming. They are so unlike purple violets, despite their name. But, what a joy it is to see these sweet flowers with petals swept back like wings from their yellow centers.  I can picture Sally Field as the Flying Nun in her white winged hat.  Are you old enough to remember?

Down by the lake-shore we find a patch of Wood Anemone.  Their blossoms were bobbing in the cool breezes coming off the blue water.  Their leaves look quite a bit like strawberry plants.  Perhaps a distant relative.

Finally, in the woodsy garden we find Merrybells.  What a lovely and cheerful name they have!  Golden yellow and hanging their bashful heads, they brighten up their little corner of the world with sunshine.

Wildflowers spring from the cool damp earth

a bright and cheery token,

A sweet sign of hope and of re-birth,

for winter's grip is broken.