Many months of new discoveries. Training to become a master naturalist. February 2010. Blandy Aboretum of Virginia. Midwinter, and my first introduction to Winter Aconite (Eranthis hyemalis).

Then a precious friend shared some of her Winter Aconite with me. All these years later they still emerge, sometimes through the snow, in early February. Like rays of warm sunshine on cold winters days. Hope for warmer days IF one should desire warmer days.

Leaves of long hearts joined together at the center. Circles of green.

And like the leaves, the seedpods arranged in a magical symmetry. Beauty in nature.