April's First Blue Bells

Last April I posted about the Wild flowers spotted along the forest floor - nature moving right along in spite of external circumstances like a global pandemic, signaling warmer days ahead

 

 
Here we are, a year later, and still experiencing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, although it feels like we continue to move forward to a "new normal" - lighter days ahead. Of course, nature forges on, showing us beauty at every turn.

 

 
Last year was the first time I experienced the sea of spring blue bells available locally for our enjoyment. I wondered how I let such beauty pass by in all my years foraging through the forest preserves. I then realized past Aprils' were consumed by long distance training runs on roads and subsequent races. Without these diversions, I discovered a wondrous and fleeting new world. So, I have the pandemic to thank for that discovery.

 

 
Armed with the knowledge that "Blue Bell season" would soon emerge, I scoured local social media for clues. The blue bells came earlier this year - nudged ahead by a few warm days. I didn't want to miss out on the show, so I headed out on a rainy Sunday morning for my first blue bell encounter of the year. I even convinced two friends to join me in spite of the cold rain.

 

 
We spotted blue, pink, lavender and even white versions of the nodding flower.

 

 

 

 

 
Proof we were there:

 

 
Over an hour later, we retreated to the comfort of our cars - cold and wet, but hearts full.