Spring Flowers Phase II

The early flowers, birds, and butterflies have all done a terrific job of lifting spirits and bringing color and life back into our ‘closer-to-the-North-Pole-than-the-equator’ world. In the easier to reach, lower elevations of the hills surrounding Helena, several of the flower species are peaking right now and a couple are beginning to wane. Rockcress and Shooting Stars are in the former group, Draba, Douglasia, and Pasqueflower are in the later.  

The Spring- Phase II flowers are beginning to show up in greater numbers. Larkspur, Elegant Cinquefoil, Missouri Milkvetch, Prairie Smoke ,and Arrowleaf Balsamroot are staging their colorful takeover of the slopes. Then May will hot and the ankle level botanical fireworks will really begin. 

Butterflies are increasing, too. Today I was fortunate to find a Sheridan’s Green Hairstreak that sat for a quick portrait. At least two other unknown species flew past me with speed and a seeming determination not to be ID’ed. Oh well. Six species of butterflies, 116 species of birds, and 22 species of flowering plants before the end of April is terrific in my book. 

I enjoy the changing of the seasons, but I also enjoy the changes within the seasons. Phenology is what that is called- and I find being immersed in it everyday to be very comforting.