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. 

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Lovely spring to you!

~

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Spring flowers and a Chickadee

lovely spring beauties

one of our first flowers

usually in white(above)

sometimes pink:

do you know what these are?

(above)

I was thinking phlox, but i am not sure. 

the lovely pasque flowers are here!

I love this little ones hairdo

funny how feathers get ruffled

~

Lovely spring day 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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Spring

drove and hiked hoping to see

Spring Beauties

at first I thought I was too early in the season

once one was spied

I noticed they were sprinkled throughout the meadow

our first forest flower

 the lovely yellow violet

I love watching things turn green

sprout leaves

the sun warming our world

this last winter my walking bridge died

last week I made a new one

felt like a nice accomplishment

I have a huge plum colored bolder in my yard

after the rain

the lichen turns this wonderful color

here and there 

are mushrooms

full of fun character

another sign of a new season

the setting sun inspires pause

soaring as the sun sets

~

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Feathers Flowers & Fur

I sat near this nest for a while

watching the female await his (Osprey) return

landing had to be just right

just a fly by

busy little squirrel

has been digging up last autumns stores of small pine cones 

and eating non-stop

I had the great pleasure of Canada Geese and goslings

visit my ponds! 

lovely and tiny spring beauty

also known as fairy spuds, but it would be a shame to dig them up for the tiny fairy sized spud

~

Spring is truly coming to life!

 

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Beltane 2014

we are

halfway between the spring equinox and the summer solstice

 

flowers raise their lovely faces

to the sun

cloaked in leaves

glacier lilies breathe

 

until the perfect moment to bloom

 

flower season has JUST begun

it amazes me

to find tiny succulents

that have lived beneath winter's snow

I am still in love

with the new buds on the tops of fir trees

~

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