The land along the levee was embellished with striking, crimson flowers that danced and swayed in the gentle breeze. If spring were to have a laugh, I am convinced it would resonate through these dramatic conical blossoms swaying merrily on the sunlit embankment.

Additionally, nestled among the clover were several wildflowers that contributed to the charm by providing additional pops of color to an already vibrant landscape.

Aside from the calls of red-winged blackbirds nesting in the tall grass, the scenery appeared to be peaceful and uninhabited. Then I began to notice them — all the small, busy insects hiding in plain view among the flowers, including several bees and butterflies hovering to collect nectar and pollen from this valuable source of food.

It was a blessing to see this seasonal spectacle in its full beauty and to observe the serene yet active environment that thrives within this ecosystem.

“The Spring came suddenly, bursting upon the world as a child bursts into a room, with a laugh and a shout and hands full of flowers.” ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

“God is an artist of Nature; He paints in colors, so rare, The bursting bud in the Springtime, The lovely trees everywhere …”  ~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham