This pretty little flower has been fascinating me for the last few days. It’s less than a quarter of an inch across and lives only a couple of inches off the ground.
Could these two versions indicate female and male?
Whatever it is, its visitors seem to wear their sequined jackets!
Montana Outdoors 
I’m amazed at how many beautiful wild flowers you have blooming in MT. I thought your season would be behind ours due to all the snow you had, but it looks like the northeast is way behind Montana! i like the second shot the best. Nice work!
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Comment by Cedar — April 22, 2009 @ 9:40 am
We started early, then spring was put on hold for awhile, then it came back and the flowers started to bloom. Now we’re going into a cold spell again tonight. Now the northeast can catch up!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
This is a beautiful flower. I love the sparkles and the visitor’s jacket is quite impressive.
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Comment by Preston Surface — April 22, 2009 @ 1:39 pm
Yes, that little visitor dressed for the occasion, didn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
[…] montucky added an interesting post on Pretty little pink flower « Montana OutdoorsHere’s a small excerptThis pretty little flower has been fascinating me for the last few days and I have no idea what it is. It’s less than a quarter of an inch across and lives only a couple of inches off the ground. Pretty little pink flower … […]
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Pingback by Topics about Montana » Pretty little pink flower « Montana Outdoors — April 22, 2009 @ 2:04 pm
These are great. Let’s see how long it takes for a tsar of wildflowers to see the photo and say, hey, I know what that is.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — April 22, 2009 @ 2:39 pm
You are prophetic, Malcolm! Maureen seems to have hit it right on! Redstem stork’s bill
Erodium cicutarium!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 7:10 pm
Mystery solved! Kudos to Maureen.
Malcolm
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Comment by knightofswords — April 23, 2009 @ 6:57 am
This flower looks like a geranium (Stork’s Bill)? Beautiful! Happy Spring!
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Comment by Maureen — April 22, 2009 @ 4:40 pm
Thanks Maureen! That looks like it for sure! Redstem stork’s bill Erodium cicutarium
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 7:11 pm
I thought the surprise visitor stole the show on that photo! It certainly does have geranium colors!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 7:13 pm
Love the sparkly flower! And the visitor in the 3rd on too!
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Comment by Stacey - Addicted to The Click — April 22, 2009 @ 6:11 pm
I’m thinking the flowers aren’t male and female, but rather, the anthers have fallen off the older bottom flower already. Whatever the case, beautiful things sure do come in tiny packages! I love seeing such small flowers and insects magnified and up close. Their irridescent colors are breathtaking!
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Comment by Tabbie — April 22, 2009 @ 9:41 pm
I love being able to see the tiny things, too. My quality of life has improved a lot through a lens!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
Great macros! It’s so tiny, in life, but looks much larger in your photos.
Agree w/Erodium cicutarium, BTW
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Comment by Adam R. Paul — April 23, 2009 @ 7:47 pm
They really are tiny, but very pretty. It is nice to identify them, something I’m just plain not good at!
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2009 @ 9:49 pm
Beautiful flowers, Terry. I love when the petals of those little one take on an almost metallic sheen. I find Spring Beauties do that as well as a couple of other tiny flowers. Good catch!
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Comment by edvatza — April 24, 2009 @ 4:47 am
Thanks Ed. I like that metallic look too. It’s a challenge to catch it just right, but a good learning experience.
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Comment by montucky — April 24, 2009 @ 7:45 am
Ooooo!! That’s beautiful!! I’m apparently No Good at spotting wildflowers while I’m hiking. I’m looking forward to getting out with you again, so I can get some practice.
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Comment by gradschoolsara — April 24, 2009 @ 9:45 am
Well, we can get some practice in about another week, right? Weather permitting.
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Comment by montucky — April 24, 2009 @ 10:09 am
I love the color and delicate nature in these little gems Terry, you are definitely nailing the wildflowers in your neck of the woods !!
Keep em coming !!
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Comment by Bernie Kasper — April 24, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Thanks Bernie! New species are starting to bloom every day now. It’s hard to keep up with them and get anything else done at the same time!
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Comment by montucky — April 24, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
WOW montucky! the colors in these shots is so gorgeous. the petals pastel dyed…the iridescence of the insect…very very pretty
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Comment by silken — April 25, 2009 @ 9:00 pm
Yes, the light was just right. My Son was fishing and I was exploring the bank of the river when I found these. The little visitor just volunteered to pose!
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Comment by montucky — April 25, 2009 @ 9:24 pm
I sure it’s ERODIUM not Erocium! A slight misspelling.
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Comment by chris — April 26, 2009 @ 9:18 pm
Thanks Chris! I corrected it.
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Comment by montucky — April 26, 2009 @ 9:24 pm