Spring treasures

 

The lovely pasque wildflower is gracing our presence in prairie landscapes.

Just as lovely from the back as it is from the front of their blooms:

Lately we have had Ms. Fox passing through often. 

Sometimes I find her curled up on my lawn, right off my porch. 

Maybe because I don't have domestic pets?

She is a red fox but considered a Cross fox due to her unique coloring.

Right now she is molting, a month ago she was fluffy as can be. 

 

We know she has at least 3 kits. The papa comes around to play and be with them. 

 

 

Spring flowers bloom later here in NW Montana than most places. 

I do anticipate their arrival and am willing to drive hours to be with them. 

Lovely Buttercup

above, spring beauties

also known as fairy spuds

as their corms are edible, but tiny

This handsome garter snake appeared when half the earth was still cloaked in snow. I was surprised to see it out of hibernation. 

I love being surprised by nature as it teaches me its ways. 

~

Lovely spring to you!

~

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Glimpses of Early Spring, NW Montana

I have gotten to see the great gray owls a few times

one day there were two together!

(one hunting and one in a nearby tree)

the tiny world of lichen

looks big with my macro lens

Spring Beauties.....

an early spring flower

a tiny pool where fairies bathe:

found a few yellowbells on a cloudy day:

extra petals on this buttercup:

Last summer into autumn, someone made lacy pattern on all the alder tree's leaves.

The other day I found these tiny iridescent blue beetles on the wheelbarrow handles. 

Looking them up, I found their larvae eat alder leaves. 

Alder flea beetles:

spring is a fun time to explore

the tiny beginnings of new and continued life

~

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Frosty Buttercups

some mornings are frosty

glistening in gentle morning light

petals opening to recieve

some still sleepy and gently stretching to awaken to the day

sun turns frost to water drops

dressing petals in watery gems of light

and

last night
a Great Gray Owl 
swooshed through the yard to land on this tree, joy.

~

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So Montana

 Spring equinox

I wandered south with two dear friends

we found wildflowers blooming

in the sage lands

(Yellow Bells, Fritillaria pudica)

a rabbit in a most unlikely place

an old abandoned car

buttercups

high in the hills

an old barn

So Montana

a herd of deer

one with antlers

curious horses 

all in the Sage Lands of Montana

Sweet Spring 

or

Autumn 

to each of you

~

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Fairy Slippers and Friends

above are beginning stages of the lovely Calypso wild Orchid

known as the Fairy Slipper

this tiny forest flower

has won my heart with it's smiling face
and unique beauty

 ~

some more early spring flowers,  

Spring Beauty:

Buttercup:

 

Pussy Willows, which the butterflies love:

Spring flowers are such a joy 

~

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