It seemed as though Spring would never arrive this year, as if the gray clouds and bland brown landscape and the jackets and sweaters were forever in our forecast. But the first signs are always a warm day here and there and the happy little signs of life deep in the woods along the paths with the blooming of the early rising wildflowers.

They are our hope.

A sign for better things to come. I have felt the pull to be out of doors every day. Watching. Looking. Seeing what is new and waiting. Sharing the early spring flowers with you today. And where I found them if case you want to find them yourself one spring when you feel the trails calling you.

Bloodroot. Such a nasty name for this beauty. So sunny and happy. Blooming out of the thick leaf litter along the trail. It was a coolish day in the high 50’s when these lined our hike along the Mountain Mist Trail on Monte Sano Mountain. 

False Rue Anemone- false only has 5 petals per flower. They are early bloomers too. Spotted very close to the one below.

And Rue Anemone along the Wildflower Trail on the Land Trust property along Fagan Creek. They have 6 to 12 petals per flower. 

Spring Beauty. Along the riverbanks in the Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Trillium. These were blooming well before any others. I spotted these along the Natural Conservatory on Keel Mountain trail. The flowers here bloom much earlier than those on Monte Sano. Yellow Trout Lilies. I adore these flowers as they have so much personality as the petals fly back and the leaves are spotted and they spread across the way. So lovely when they are in bloom. Along the Wildflower Trail and also Keel Mountain. 

Hepatica. Another early blooming. So delicate with its long spindly stem and beautifully colors leaves. It blooms white and blue to purple to pink. Found on the Sinks trail. Monte Sano. Mountain Mist Trail marker. 

Violets. Another happy flower to join the early spring flowers. North Alabama is lucky to have blue, yellow and white violets. They can be found out your front door. These I found at Keel Mountain. 

The yellow I have seen on the Sinks Trail and these I found on the Goldsmith Schiffman Wildlife Sanctuary. The white with purple centers in my yard. 
 I spotted three hearts in one day. A blessed day. 

Unfurling of the ferns is my favorite. 

At the Wildflower Trail the Fagan Creek runs right along side the trail and tempts you to rock hop and forge along before hopping back up the trail. My favorite trail for all seasons. This is a buckeye just barely hanging on. I always see it from above. Today from eye level. It has had several visitors. I laughed out loud at this one!!!

Toothwort blooming along the creek. Beauty in the living. 

Beauty among the dead.

I love to see the gifts of spring each day and I hope you make time to enjoy them too.

Even if they are just in your yard. Take the time to pick and enjoy.

Katey