First field trip today (Mondays are my day off and conditions were sunny and 60 F as a high) for wildflowers. A bit early in the season, been cool and not too conducive for plant development. But wasn't disappointed at
Waterworks Hill in Missoula, a conservation easement/
open space bond issue adopted by forward thinking community members. A steep aerobic climb and one is on the east/west ridgetop. Douglasia (
Douglasia montana) was the target, several dozen plants were in bright pink flower (early season color beyond brown...wahoo!). Not only did I find them, but so did four or so Checkered White (
Pontia protodice) butterfly (nice unexpected bonus for me). On the way back down captured a photos of Yellow Bell (
Fritillaria pudica) and Few-flower Shootingstar (
Dodecatheon pulchellum).
You folks that live back east should be able find Harbinger of Spring (
Erigenia bulbosa) or perhaps Spring Beauty (
Claytonia virginica) in flower. Take a walk in the wild spot of your neighborhood...development doesn't always get all the wild spots. Get your daily Vitamin D this way, the sunshine vitamin...a
lack thereof may be linked to heart disease.
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| Douglasia and Checkered White |
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| Few-flower Shootingstar |
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| Yellow Bell |
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