REGION — The novel coronavirus is bringing a lot of changes to the area, but it can’t stop spring from coming. This winter aconite flower is folded up against the cold and a new dusting of snow, but when the sun shines in March, the petals open up and soak in the rays.

Often the earliest blooming flower in the region, winter aconite will grow in areas that other plants will not, such as beneath heavily leafed deciduous trees. By the time the trees fully leaf out in May, the winter aconite are done for the season and won’t return until the following March.