This has truly been the strangest winter I can remember. Because of the mild conditions, nature seems to be about 2 months ahead of where it should be. Spring flowers such as crocus and daffodils are not only up early but already blooming. Spring peepers were already calling at the end of January, which is the earliest I’ve ever heard them! The photos in the gallery (below) were taken on February 3 & 4, 2012. The only exception is the last one, which shows a trout lilly. This was a “snapshot” I took back in March of 2009 while hiking one of the trails in the Birkhead Mountain Wilderness Area. The reason I included this shot was to emphasize the fact that this wildflower is one of the first to bloom in the spring. Ironically I have not seen one this year so far, but they’re not always the easiest to find. ~MB

Gallery – February_flowers_2.4.12