With winter officially over, we"re weeping for joy right alongside this willow tree, its wispy new boughs signaling a healthy year of growth to come. About 400 species of willow grow across the globe in water-rich, seasonally chilly spots like here in Minnesota. With some willows soaring up to 70 feet tall and wide, cultures around the world have bestowed deep symbolism on the formidable trees, associating them with refuge, wisdom, or plenty—if not with ghosts, demons, or the spirit world. One thing all traditions can agree on: When a willow sprouts bright green wisps like this, it"s a welcome symbol of spring"s arrival.
A willowy welcome to spring
Today in History
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A gorge-ous mill in the Causses
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Jane’s Carousel delights
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European fallow deer in England
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A star is borne by seaweed
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Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia
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Brown bears, Katmai National Park and Preserve, Alaska
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The Tre Cime di Lavaredo, Italy
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Aprils full moon
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A storied trail marks a century
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Did it see its shadow?
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The moth wonderful time of the year
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Oh, happy day!
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Flowers by the sea
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Overseas Highway, Florida Keys
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Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
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Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway
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International Day for Monuments and Sites
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Pearl of the Adriatic
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Tour de France
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Great horned owl
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National Park Service anniversary
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Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
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Hello, harbinger of spring
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Three Musketeers Falls at Iguazú Falls, Argentina
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Earth Day and National Park Week
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Feeling chic on Fashion Week
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Memorial Day