Lycoris squamigera (resurrection lily)

This lily smiled up at me this morning from a random place in the front yard. Today, I've seen them dotted around town -- in the middle of lawns, in gardens, in grassy places next to alleys.  The common name is resurrection lily, magic lily, or surprise lily. It certainly surprised me this morning.  It looks so naked, without leaves.  I guess the leaves sprout in June then die off. In August, the stalk shoots out of the ground and blooms almost instantly.  Look what plants do! In this new place, I can learn a great deal from this lily.