P H O T O E S S AY ABOVE LEFT: For Bill Lea, " nothing says spring more than when trees begin opening-up their new leaves-the 'spring greens.' " At this time of year trees collectively showcase every shade of green imaginable. These two nicely shaped and colored trees were photographed in Cades Cove of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee. PHOTO BY BILL LEA ABOVE RIGHT: Purple Phacelia (aka Scorpionweed) are among the most beautiful flowers to bloom in late March and early April. Their blooms are biennial, so finding them on the valley floors across the Cumberland Plateau is an extra treat. These were in Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia. PHOTO BY CHRISTIAN MURILLO LEFT: Ferns soak up the morning spring sun near Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, yielding a spectrum of soft green colors. PHOTO BY NICHOLAS MOORE MARCH/APRIL 2021 37