Just two days ago I went to a flower bed on the east side of our house to check a crocus that has historically been the first one here to open each spring. It was still buried in a snow bank a foot deep. Yesterday, my wife advised me that there is now one blooming on the west side of the house: I hadn’t even known it was there!
Montana Outdoors 
Lovely! I am still waiting on my first spring flowers–it is supposed to get up to 59 over the next few days so may be I will be getting my first blooms soon.
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Comment by kateri — March 5, 2012 @ 9:33 pm
We have had two very warm days, but now there is more cold coming up. I love the roller-coaster of spring in Montana!
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Comment by montucky — March 5, 2012 @ 10:43 pm
Rich color. Spring’s a’comin’.
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Comment by Candace — March 5, 2012 @ 9:39 pm
It is indeed! I bet the desert there is beautiful now! I heard it was 86 in Phoenix today.
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Comment by montucky — March 5, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
They are fast, aren’t they? I swear a miniature daffodil today opened up in the 5 minutes I was standing over it, watering the bed!
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Comment by C.C. — March 5, 2012 @ 10:07 pm
Yes, they are fast! The growing season is so short here anyway that they get started just as soon as the conditions are reasonable.
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Comment by montucky — March 5, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
Oh, so beautiful!
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Comment by seekraz — March 5, 2012 @ 10:45 pm
I think they are very pretty and seem especially so here because they are the first domestic flower to bloom.
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Comment by montucky — March 5, 2012 @ 10:48 pm
So the back-story adds to the beauty…context. So nice. 🙂
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Comment by seekraz — March 5, 2012 @ 10:54 pm
I looked in the crocus patch near my office today. All I found was snow and a wad of chewed gum.
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Comment by jomegat — March 5, 2012 @ 10:47 pm
I looked back through the last few years, and the crocus have been blooming much later in March, so this one is quite early. I’m not sure when gum starts to bloom here though. (One of the advantages of living in the country!)
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Comment by montucky — March 5, 2012 @ 11:32 pm
Just beautiful!
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Comment by Jo Woolf — March 6, 2012 @ 1:07 am
Thanks Jo! It’s really good to see one again.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 8:38 pm
A friend in Fairfax, Virginia has been posting photos of her crocus for about a week now. Every year when they begin blooming, she begins smiling again. I’ll bet you smiled when you saw this one, too. They even make me smile – such vibrant color!
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Comment by shoreacres — March 6, 2012 @ 6:30 am
Yes, they make one smile! Especially because there are usually a few snow banks around when they begin to bloom.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
Simply beautiful and the surprise of it all in a place not seen before adds to the joy.
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Comment by Debby — March 6, 2012 @ 6:52 am
It does! It was a complete surprise.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
Love the little crocus. Ours are almost finished with their bloom. Beautiful picture of one.
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Comment by anniespickns — March 6, 2012 @ 7:48 am
We have dozens planted, but depending on their exact locations, they will bloom at different times for the rest of the month. Most are still under a heavy snow cover.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:04 pm
Love this photo!!! Welcome Spring!!!
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Comment by dhphotosite — March 6, 2012 @ 8:04 am
Yes, it will be welcome. We are starting the season. Cold last night, a little sun, and suddenly a wind came up with a brief but heavy snow followed by more sun and a clear night which means it will be in the teens or maybe even in the single digits.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:06 pm
I have always loved this particular combination of colors. We don’t often, if ever, see crocus in our part of California but they were a spring favorite when we lived on Vancouver Island. Appreciating your lovely photo 🙂
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Comment by Colleen — March 6, 2012 @ 8:54 am
They are so welcome, blooming so early, but they are also beautiful blossoms!
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:07 pm
I love crocus! Such a beautiful photo, Terry!
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Comment by Barbara — March 6, 2012 @ 1:08 pm
Thanks Barbara. I love them too!
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:08 pm
Natures colours don’t get any better than that. Hopefully the first of many.
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Comment by Finn Holding — March 6, 2012 @ 3:31 pm
I’ve always thought it significant that the first of the spring flowers has such a colorful presentation.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:09 pm
I know these are starting to pop up this month, but I haven’t seen one. Your beautiful shot is most appreciated.
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Comment by sandy — March 6, 2012 @ 3:50 pm
I checked my archives, and this one is very early this year.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:10 pm
Wow! How so very lovely and a great shot! I’m looking for the daffodils to spring forth. The trees are all budded and some leafed. We’ve had a warm winter.
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Comment by Anna — March 6, 2012 @ 4:21 pm
Our winter has been quite warm too, and the daffodils are starting to show green.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:11 pm
That’s funny. Crocus have a way of moving around a yard. They have done it in every yard I’ve ever gardened in, and I’ve never known how or why. It’s nice to see them. I haven’t seen any here yet, but the daffodills and scilla are showing green.
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — March 6, 2012 @ 6:36 pm
They do move, and they begin to bloom at different times depending on the amount of shelter they have and the sun exposure.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:12 pm
Yay, spring’s a poppin’! Our crocus have buds on them, but haven’t opened up yet. We just had another snow though this past weekend, but tomorrow’s supposed to be sunny and warmer, so maybe that will coax them open. Beautiful photo, as always, Montucky!
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — March 6, 2012 @ 6:58 pm
We have had warm days upon occasion, but there is still more winter to come here. I saw the first Bluebirds of the year today too.
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:14 pm
Hi Montucky, What luscious texture and brilliant color that little flower has! Excellent photo! Have a wonderful Wednesday tomorrow.
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — March 6, 2012 @ 7:39 pm
Thanks! The crocus is just an excellent flower with which to start, isn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — March 6, 2012 @ 9:14 pm
That’s a pretty big change in the weather, but a very good one this time of year.
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Comment by Ratty — March 6, 2012 @ 10:38 pm
This is one of the two times of year when I like the weather to change. The other is in late summer and fire season.
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Comment by montucky — March 7, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
nice color. everyone around us has been planting flowers; spring is pretty much here for us!
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Comment by silken — March 7, 2012 @ 12:44 pm
Yes, I hear it’s getting really pretty down there now!
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Comment by montucky — March 7, 2012 @ 10:52 pm
No signs of flowers over here in the Great Lakes region yet. Normally, there would be about 3 feet of snow still on the ground. This year…nada. In fact, it was in the 60’s (degree F) today. Some mosses and such but nothing close to this beauty, Terry.
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Comment by Scott Thomas Photography — March 7, 2012 @ 3:38 pm
You folks have really had a strange winter! Here the high elevations have had a completely normal winter, but in the lower valleys its was very mild.
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Comment by montucky — March 7, 2012 @ 10:54 pm
I know it’s been a strange winter, but I didn’t expect that kind of change! Sure is beautiful! =)
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Comment by Tricia — March 8, 2012 @ 8:08 am
Change happens quickly here where there is such a short summer season. I sure enjoy seeing it!
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
gorgeous!!! oh i do love flowers ~
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Comment by Tammie — March 8, 2012 @ 11:00 am
I love them too, especially wildflowers.
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:01 pm
So inspiring…so wonderful…so simply great to see spring!!!!
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Comment by Marcie — March 8, 2012 @ 12:06 pm
Spring is such a wonderful occasion!
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:02 pm
How nice to see Your very beautiful photo. It gives to us hope that we are going towards to the Spring. Have had about “cold spell in spring”, meaning that winter was at a standstill during one week. Temperature in the morning has been -20 ºC / -4 ºF and at afternoon -20 ºC / -4 ºF. Snow, that we have yet nearly2 feet. Next week will be warmer, because the wise men say that the Foehn wind is coming from the Atlantic Ocean.
It is always a great joy to come to Your pages and admire wonders of Your world.
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Comment by Sartenada — March 9, 2012 @ 12:17 am
Oh my! You do have winter now! We will have more snow before summer comes, but the very cold temperatures are probably over for this season here.
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:04 pm
Oohh, what a nice surprise that must have been 🙂
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Comment by TheDailyClick — March 9, 2012 @ 3:42 am
This early arrival was a wonderful surprise! We will have many more later.
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:05 pm
Yay! Montuck’s flower gallery for 2012 has just opened!
I just walked around the house to see if any of our crocuses are awakening, and there’s still too much snow in the planter beds for even the greens to be showing. But I can tell by where the landscape bark is doming up that it won’t be long for the earliest south side crocus patches to poke their heads out and greet the sun.
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Comment by Anonymous — March 9, 2012 @ 12:30 pm
Most of the rest of our flowers are also under some snow still, although I saw one little Johnny Jump-up in bloom today.
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2012 @ 9:06 pm
What a nice surprise for you! These have always been my favorite flowers.
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Comment by Tammy — March 10, 2012 @ 12:18 pm
They do have a special place. I’ve figured out that my “favorite” flower is tied to the exact time at which it blooms, allowing a lot of favorites!
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Comment by montucky — March 10, 2012 @ 10:27 pm
What a beautiful crocus. Seeing it in a surprising setting is exciting! The colors are so vivid. I look forward to more surprises and old friends as well.
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Comment by Jack Matthews — March 10, 2012 @ 4:26 pm
I am too, Jack. In about a month those old friends will start showing up in good numbers.
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Comment by montucky — March 10, 2012 @ 10:28 pm
The detail in this photo is phenomenal! Evidently spring has sprung or is at least going to spring.
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Comment by Wild_Bill — March 10, 2012 @ 4:54 pm
Thanks Bill. It’s a start. My wife saw the first Robin today too. All of the hardy plants and critters are beginning to show up now.
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Comment by montucky — March 10, 2012 @ 10:30 pm
I do believe spring is officially here! 🙂 That’s a beautiful little crocus.
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Comment by kcjewel — March 10, 2012 @ 8:17 pm
It is! Spring here is exhilarating, kind of like sitting on a wild horse when the chute gate swings open.
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Comment by montucky — March 10, 2012 @ 10:31 pm
Can’t say as I’ve ever tried that… LOL
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Comment by kcjewel — March 11, 2012 @ 7:01 am
Crocus, in all its spring glory- great photo!
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Comment by Watching Seasons — March 12, 2012 @ 10:18 am
I’m glad I caught it when I did. Spring here is suffering a relapse at the moment.
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Comment by montucky — March 12, 2012 @ 9:57 pm
Love the beautiful colors in this Terry…we are ahead of schedule here and I am hoping to start getting some shots in the next few days !!
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Comment by Bernie Kasper — March 12, 2012 @ 7:49 pm
I will look forward to your photos, Bernie. They will tide me over until ours here really start to bloom.
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Comment by montucky — March 12, 2012 @ 9:57 pm
This is the most beautiful photo of a Crocus I have seen! Great work!
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Comment by Karen Marie Images — March 13, 2012 @ 9:46 am
Thanks Karen! I was very happy to see it in bloom!
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Comment by montucky — March 13, 2012 @ 9:42 pm
Beautiful flower, and it looks like it’s all ready for bees! 🙂
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Comment by Val — March 13, 2012 @ 10:29 am
It was ready, but the blossoms has gone already. I did see one bumble bee though. Don’t know what he’s doing now though with no other flowers in bloom yet.
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Comment by montucky — March 13, 2012 @ 9:44 pm
Nice flower! We don’t have any flower here. Until now…
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Comment by Cornel Apostol — March 15, 2012 @ 8:16 am
This was our first. In a few weeks there will be many more!
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Comment by montucky — March 15, 2012 @ 8:38 pm
Wow, amazing macro!! May I ask what camera and lens you use?
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Comment by Fergiemoto — March 28, 2012 @ 9:17 am
My camera is a Nikon D80, and this was taken with the Nikkor 60mm f/2.8D. It’s my favorite lens.
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Comment by montucky — March 28, 2012 @ 10:32 pm