Two weeks ago, there was nothing to harvest in the flower realm.

A few days later the first native iris bloomed, then came the first columbine (aquilegia). And for a week or so there was a purity of unblemished beauty like no other. Spring always has me on my knees awstruck once again. Today was hot, and there were aphids on some of the columbines. That purity, innocence if you will, has already reached another stage. The seemingly instant profusion of it all, the miracle of it, inspired this botanical exploration and a record of what grows amongst the roses on April 10.

We do not see nature with our eyes, but with our understanding and our hearts.

~ William Hazlitt