You might have seen the TWIGS post from last week that showed the two-lead-bud pattern of the Striped Maple (or Moosewood) that grows along the creeks.
Just two days later, this is what became of that tiny compressed and highly-ordered bit of biology packed inside those bud scales. The rate of expansion from the micro- to the macroscopic is impressive. Wonder what it would like like in time-lapse video?
The deeply-veined deeply-lobed finely-toothed leaves are one of my favorite spring patterns early on as the leaves emerge translucent, in shades of yellow and chartreuse.
Time lapse, please!
Backlit leaves are my favorite thing to point out to my photographer husband. Beautiful photo.