A willowy welcome to spring Apr 7, 2021

A willowy welcome to spring

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.

© Jim Brandenburg/Minden Pictures

palette

Today in History

Apr 7, 2018The confluence of the Arve and Rhône Rivers
Apr 7, 2019Busy building wetlands
Apr 7, 2020Once in a pink moon
Apr 7, 2022Málaga, Spain
Apr 7, 2023International Beaver Day
Apr 7, 2024International Beaver Day
Apr 7, 2025Happy International Beaver Day!

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jan 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Jan 13, 2018Fire-damaged forest near Wolf Creek Pass, Colorado
Sep 28, 2019This view is brought to you by…
Jan 20, 2021Penguins can t fly!
Dec 13, 2023Svolvaer, Lofoten Islands, Norway
Aug 13, 2018Look to the north sky tonight for the Perseids
Oct 20, 2023International Sloth Day
Jan 29, 2018Vacuum Chamber 5 at Glenn Research Center
Dec 7, 2019Remembering the Arizona
Aug 22, 2020A monster view in Scotland
Nov 4, 2018And they’re off!
May 18, 2024International Museum Day
Dec 18, 2019It’s Weihnachtsmarkt time!
Sep 11, 202120 years later
Sep 1, 2018Let the Highland games begin
Mar 21, 2023International Day of Color
Nov 5, 2019Balloons and camels are two ways to catch a ride here
Dec 4, 2024Wildlife Conservation Day
Feb 11, 2026Death Valley National Parks Anniversary
May 18, 2019A ‘city’ within Valencia
Jul 30, 2022Milford Sound/Piopiotahi rainforest in New Zealand
Apr 23, 2023World Book Day
Mar 22, 2019Fresh water on the Silk Road
Oct 27, 2025Thick-billed raven, Simien Mountains, Ethiopia
Feb 3, 2018Rooftops in the walled city of Urbino, Italy
Aug 22, 2025Rolling hills of the Palouse, Washington
Apr 24, 2019Cool water in the Quinault
Jun 1, 2020The largest living organism on Earth
Jan 26, 2020It s Republic Day in India
Jul 11, 2024World Population Day