Fern Glen Essays
Open and Shut Case
by Judy Sullivan

Little time to muse and wonder these days. Those blessed with a life that follows the seasons must be up and about the business of spring. No leisurely drives, no contemplative rambles. Summarily snatched from desk and keyboard, the upholstered chair still swiveling, the upholstered bottom straining the seams of last summer's jeans.

From fluorescence to florescence. Just like that.

Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot) closes during a shower and opens in the sun.

Still, the exuberance of blades and blooms hasn't fully vanquished winter weather. And so April, notorious for her showers, will reign. (I apologize for the procession of homonyms and poor puns. I just can't help myself.) Sweetly endearing is the response of the earliest flowers to the vagaries and whims of weather. Responding much as we, they button tight the cloak and close the shutters.

However, is this just distaste for chill and damp, or is there something at the root of this behavior? Despite their fragile beauty, these are pragmatic posies, far less concerned with damaging their youthful bloom than with wasting their pollen.

Flowers displaying comparatively ostentatious petals are pollinated by insects, few of which fly on rainy days. The result is seen in the accompanying images, which not only illustrate this open and shut case, but also invite us to investigate nature's workings for ourselves. These gems will soon vanish for another year. Today is the day to cast aside the mundane, fall on your knees and marvel.

Anemone acutiloba(hepatica) shyly droops in rain....

but lifts its face to the sun

Questions, comments, or other feedback to Judy Sullivan.