Preseason Warm Up

[Ken Ramos]

The trees stand stark before a deep blue February sky and somewhere in the distance a crow calls, my shadow is long in the noon day sun and here and there a bit of color captures my eye amid the varying shades of grays and browns, the palette of winter. However it is begining to warm and so with all they can muster the first of the spring flowers are rising up, like a Phoenix from the ashes of a winters day.



This is the first purple blooms of the small plant called "Heal-All" or "Self Heal." Prunella vulgaris, this little plant used to be used for a number of ailments, sore throats, mouth sores, fevers, diarrhea, and externally for brusies and sores, also rich in antioxidants. However for me, just another hint that spring is coming near.

[JoanYoung]

Great image and narrative Ken. Amazing how we get desperate for the first signs of spring after a long, cold winter. I am glad it is warming up.

[Ken Ramos]

Thanks Joan but still I am not expecting winter to be quite over just yet, though the possibility of an early spring is not to be dismissed either. Thanks

[JoanYoung]

I remember one time I was there in the begining of April and there were some of the heaviest snow falls experienced in years. But it is nice to know the winter will soon be over.

[jmlphoto]

omg i have tons of those plants in my backyard there really worth all those things? thanks for the ID im always looking for plants that are beneficial. you gotta wait till it flowers i was surprised to leave the weeds to grow and end up nice purple flowers.

[beetleman]

After all that you didn`t eat the dang thing I am going to take some pictures of the ice forming on the evergreens before we get more snow tomorrow. Thats how close I am to winter....oh to live in the south

[Ken Ramos]

Thanks guys I have tons of them too around where I live but I don't really think that eating them would be the thing to do. However, they are quite pretty for a "weed."