I would naively suppose that in unstable weather that includes nights with temperatures in the low twenties and late season snow, one would expect only the larger, more robust-appearing plants to thrive. These tiny ones however, seem to be doing just fine. (The blossom in the first photo measures just 1/8 inch across, and the second only 3/16 inch, and each sits on a stem less than two inches tall.)
Spring Whitlow-grass, Draba verna
Maiden Blue Eyed Mary, Collinsia parviflora
Montana Outdoors 
Oh that blue….
What a color!
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Comment by Roberta Warshaw — April 20, 2011 @ 6:04 am
Yes, that’s quite a blue! It is so different that even though the blossom is tiny it can be easily noticed.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 9:49 pm
I love the tiny flowers. They cause us to stop and come down to their level to truly enjoy their beauty. Beautiful.
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Comment by anniespickns — April 20, 2011 @ 7:19 am
The tiny ones are so often overlooked, but when we do as you said, come down to their level its worth the effort!
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 9:50 pm
AHHHH-MAZING! =)
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Comment by Tricia — April 20, 2011 @ 8:58 am
They are, aren’t they!
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:13 pm
Ah, good things (including sweet flowers) come in small packages.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — April 20, 2011 @ 1:33 pm
That’s sure true of wildflowers! Most of my favorites are quite small.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:14 pm
I am glad to finally see a Blue-eyed Mary. It is the same here, almost too cold for plants to bloom.
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Comment by sandy — April 20, 2011 @ 3:19 pm
I’ve noticed that the ones in bloom have chosen their locations well, sheltered places that still get the available sun.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:15 pm
Hi Montucky, The pictures are great! So glad you took the time to take these shots. Have a wonderful day tomorrow!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — April 20, 2011 @ 5:41 pm
The little ones do take extra effort, but they are worth it.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:15 pm
So fragile, so strong at the same time. To be able to survive is just astonishing. A Blue-eyed Mary, what a fine name for fine plant.
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Comment by Jack Matthews — April 20, 2011 @ 7:43 pm
You know, there could be a whole scientific discipline dealing with the survival strategies of plants and wildlife. Our species could certainly learn something from it!
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:18 pm
I don’t think I’ve seen either of these before… not even on your blog. Is this your first sighting of these? Love the blue and the white one makes me think of a pinwheel. Excellent photos!!
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Comment by kcjewel — April 20, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
I’ve seen both every spring for many years , but these are the first reasonably decent photos that I’ve gotten. It took me two years just to identify the Draba verna.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2011 @ 10:20 pm
I’ve been struggling with ID-ing a similar small white flower that grows here, but concluded it was Arabis sp., a rock cress that is related to Draba.
How do you tell yours is Draba?
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Comment by Kim — April 23, 2011 @ 5:11 pm
I had a real struggle with the ID on Draba. I am not very sophisticated in the identification arena. I usually use a book “Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia and the Inland Northwest” that a friend found for me at the UM bookstore. It is the best source I have found for this area. I found Draba in it but not verna. I then went to the the second resource that I’ve found to be an excellent resource for part of this area, a web site by the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, HERE and found it by looking up their listings for Draba.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2011 @ 8:50 pm
Thanks for that link, montucky. It seems that I have BOTH Draba and Arabis in my yard!
Somehow a tiny, inconspicuous flower can go un-identified for years without upsetting me, but I can’t imagine not knowing the name of a big and/or showy flower in my surroundings…
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Comment by Kim — April 27, 2011 @ 10:19 pm
Very pretty and oh so dainty. Love the name “Maiden Blue Eyed Mary” and this particular flower seems to be smiling. đŸ™‚
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Comment by Anna — April 21, 2011 @ 2:21 pm
I’ve always liked that name for that flower1
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Comment by montucky — April 21, 2011 @ 2:51 pm
Blue-Eyed Mary…very cool I love shooting them, and yours doesn’t disappoint. Wonderful work Terry !!
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Comment by Bernie Kasper — April 21, 2011 @ 7:44 pm
They are pretty and usually I have a very hard time shooting them This year it seemed to be easier.
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Comment by montucky — April 21, 2011 @ 9:30 pm
tiny beauties
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Comment by silken — April 21, 2011 @ 8:22 pm
They are! It’s sad in a way that they are so often overlooked.
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Comment by montucky — April 21, 2011 @ 9:31 pm
Very beautiful. I love the blue one. It is somehow familiar, but when I checked it thoroughly in Internet, then I have to confess, that I have not seen it.
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Comment by sartenada — April 22, 2011 @ 1:04 am
It is very common here, but because it is so small it doesn’t get much attention.
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2011 @ 11:13 pm
The draba verna glows and sparkles.
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Comment by Candace — April 22, 2011 @ 1:33 am
It is a very fragile blossom, although it seems to be very hardy as well. It tolerates very cold nights!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2011 @ 11:14 pm
Tiny and precious – and beautiful.
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Comment by Stacey Dawn — April 22, 2011 @ 7:14 am
I have a special fondness for the tiny ones, I guess. They are usually overlooked, yet are so pretty!
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Comment by montucky — April 22, 2011 @ 11:15 pm
Perfection in miniature… both tiny blossoms… beautiful captures!
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Comment by Victoria — April 23, 2011 @ 3:28 pm
There are many tiny blossoms. I found a very pretty one today that was new to me and I know I have just been overlooking it.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2011 @ 8:52 pm