It’s early April. Officially spring has arrived. But all appears grey and brown or sawdust-coloured. Careful inspection reveals traces of brilliant green hidden beneath a mantle of dead leaves. Mosses of all kinds. Tender young shoots of early spring Scilla push up through the litter with youthful vigour and I even spot a few purple-blue flower buds. I spot apical buds swelling on shrubs and some trees.

In a few places, the monochromatic tapestry of dull browns and yellows is graced with the brilliant red stems of red osier dogwood shrubs. They flame against the dead curling grass and the empty husks and seeds of forbs and wild herbs from winter.

A stillness rules the land. Nature lies suspended, hesitating about what next to do. Revive itself or settle into its catatonic winter drab dress.

But as temperatures rise and the days grow longer, an inward readiness that is not outwardly apparent builds an energy just waiting to burst forth when all conditions are met. Hidden within this stillness, the sap rises in trees as the ground heats. the soil gives off its humic aroma as micro flora begin to flourish. The rivers swell with nutrients and the plankton bloom. The birds and animals are busy courting. 

And within this time of stillness, beauty shows itself. One need only look for it…

In the fractal shapes and subtle shades of reflected light. Hiding in plain sight…