Nature's secret beauty in early spring

A bird’s nest from last year becomes visible with no leaves to conceal it.

March is limping to a dreary, damp close, and the spring blooms still seem far away. But if we look closely, we can still find beauty in nature. The forests and meadows show us a different world without leaves blocking the view.

A voles’ winter hole is revealed as the snow melts

As the snow melts, we find the secret hiding places of voles and mice. These tiny creatures find safety and warmth in the subnivean zone—the cozy space just under the snowpack. Their tunnel entrances are visible on the sides of paths in the meadow.

Galls on a Goldenrod stem provide visual interest int he meadow.

The naked meadow also reveals the galls that house insect larvae as they wait for just the right time to emerge to begin the next stage of their journey.

Dried Milkweed stems stand out in the early spring meadow

Milkweed stems turn into insect condos during the winter. Leaving the spent stems of plants ensures that native insects, including important pollinators, will survive the cold winter and continue their important job in the spring.

Purple Coneflower seeds

After the blooms have faded, the perennial garden becomes an essential food source, providing nutritious seeds for overwintering birds.

Cattail fluff softens the otherwise stark landscape.

In the marshes and wetlands, cattail fluff can still be found floating around, providing a soft lining for the nests of Red-winged blackbirds and other marshland birds. Milkweed plants are a keystone species in the wetlands, providing food, shelter, and habitat for many animals throughout the year.

A Cottontail takes a break from indulging on new green shoots.

Walking through the meadow and wetlands, you never know who you might encounter! The Cottontail rabbit relies on the browns and tans of the season to help it blend into the scenery as it looks for those first green shoots of the season.

As you wander the meadows, forests, and wetlands in early spring, look closely at the wonders that nature usually keeps hidden. Before you know it, spring will be in full bloom, and this secret world will be hidden once more.