Spicebush in the snow

By Aaron Horrell

Light snow was falling the morning of March 13 as I headed out with my camera.

The air temperature was slightly below freezing and rising.

Snow was sticking to tree limbs and grass but melted when it touched the ground. I knew I had little time to find an interesting nature photo before the snow melted from the limbs.

I knew of a small spicebush grove at the edge of a woods I hoped the small bushes would be in bloom, and they were.

The spicebush is a native shrub that seldom grows taller than 15 feet.

It is one of the earliest blooming bushes in North America, usually blossoming before spring actually arrives.

Yellow clusters of little blossoms show on its limbs several days before its leaves appear.

Small flies, gnats and spiders are among the pollinators of the spicebush.

If this image reproduces well, you should be able to see a single spiderweb thread stretching horizontally near the bottom left of the image, below the main branch.

Pinch off a green leaf of the spicebush and roll it between your fingers.

Upon smelling your fingers, you will be surprised by the wonderful spicy fragrance.