Buds from a hickory tree. They are clustered all around the branches in groups such as this. Long before spring,  before winter even began, the tree began preparing for new growth by preparing buds. It's a new year - may the things we have been preparing spring forth this year.

Tiny white flowers blooming two days after winter solstice. The whole bush was covered with a starscape of white and green floral stars.

A fungus and an algae met and took a "lichen" to one another!

Tiny Winter Solstice fairy moss....

Tiny little chickweed leaves growing in a garden. Chickweed is edible and has medicinal properties.

Little moss plants are very lush on a late fall / almost winter day.

Tiny purple flowers hiding in the grass. They are about 1/4 inch in diameter.