Amidst the mad rush of a Monday morning school run, I pause. Just around the corner from the parking lot, spring is happening, unnoticed by the harried parents.

Oh, the guilty luxury of ten spare minutes.

I am greeted by a lawn full of burgundy red and white fritillarias , with their exquisitely patterned snake skins (whoever called them “checkered” lilies?!):

… And the delicate spring snowflakes with their lime-touched cheeks:

… And the ubiquitous Queen Anne’s Lace – whoever cares to pause for this one?!

… And burkwood viburnum – I nearly mistake it for a daphne from a distance, so eager am I to spot one in a Dutch landscape!

… And a Tatarian Honesuckle bush:

… And a redflower currant – I lightly touch the leaves and the smell of high summer lingers on my fingers:

… And something I am not sure about – it could be a serviceberry, my PlantSnap app suggests (what’s in a name?!):

… And these tuber anemones growing on a narrow green strip dividing two lanes of a busy through road – at 50 miles an hour, they don’t stand a chance:

The water hens are busy making a nest. A watchful heron is the only breathing thing not in a hurry:

My ten minutes up, I must re-join the busy-ness of the morning.