April 14, 2013
Snow-bells
Yesterday in my wanderings I noticed an early blooming bluebell but I had left my camera at home. I thought it might be of interest to post a photo of the flower and another of the place where it is growing and so today The Pointer and I took our walk in that area again, this time with the camera, hoping to find the flower and we did; in the middle of a very nice (and very wet) spring snowstorm.
The bluebell and a whole lot of buttercups live in a sunny spot on this little open ridge just before it slopes down to the stream bottom to the left.
Small Bluebells, Long-flower Bluebells, Mertensia longiflora
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Montana Outdoors 
oh no… hang tough, lil one… spring is on its way, i know it is.
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Comment by Tricia — April 14, 2013 @ 7:52 pm
That little flower will be just fine, Tricia. Its biggest hazard now will be the white-tail deer.
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Comment by montucky — April 14, 2013 @ 9:40 pm
I know who will win this struggle. It’s not the snow.
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Comment by jomegat — April 14, 2013 @ 7:58 pm
Yup. I seldom see wildflowers damaged by spring weather.
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Comment by montucky — April 14, 2013 @ 9:41 pm
That’s a beautiful snow picture, even though I hoped we were finished with winter. Poor little flowers blooming so bravely.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — April 14, 2013 @ 8:10 pm
Well, there will be some sunny days coming up about mid-week, and more blossoms will join with this one. The plant has been through this before, its survival strategy has bee well tested.
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Comment by montucky — April 14, 2013 @ 9:44 pm
We, your adoring fans, are ever grateful for your persevering efforts š
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Comment by Homestead Ramblings — April 14, 2013 @ 9:04 pm
Thank you for the kind words! It’s just that it’s so beautiful in the forest in inclement weather.
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Comment by montucky — April 14, 2013 @ 9:49 pm
Those photos are just wonderful. I always look forward to your posts and take time to enjoy the pictures. The snowstorm is magical.
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Comment by Jo Woolf — April 15, 2013 @ 1:23 am
Thank you Jo. Yes, there is much magic in the forests and back country. An awesome place, always decorated with snow or flowers, rushing streams and meadows. And the more of it I see the more I understand.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:12 pm
Snowflakes can be so large at times. The focus enough on the snowflakes in both images to portray that feel to me, like I was there. Good Work……..
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Comment by Grampy — April 15, 2013 @ 3:35 am
I was happy with those photos because they did show it exactly as I saw it. It feels good to be able to let other people see the beauty that I see.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:14 pm
I don’t know that flower but I do know that it’s tough, blooming this early.
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Comment by New Hampshire Gardener — April 15, 2013 @ 4:18 am
This species is native only to the 6 westernmost states and the two western Provinces of Canada, but I think it’s pretty closely related the the Virginia bluebell which is a plant that I’ve seen only in photos.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:21 pm
Wow I’ve never seen a photo of a snow-covered bluebell before, great shot! Brave little flower, hopefully the weather will warm up soon š
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Comment by beckarooney — April 15, 2013 @ 5:54 am
These are very hardy and will survive even though tomorrow night will have 10 hours of temperatures in the 20’s. I have a lot of admiration for wildflowers!
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:22 pm
lovely … makes me wonder what our tiny little spring flowers are up to trapped under a ton of snow. Probably still sleeping.
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Comment by bearyweather — April 15, 2013 @ 6:06 am
Sure they are, but wait until it finally warms up. They will seem to explode and spring will be an awesome sight there.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:23 pm
The transitional times are so wonderful. While winter tries to hang on, spring’s insistent. It’s much like the last leaves of autumn, refusing to leave their trees. Beyond that, of course, there’s just something about a snow “frosting” that makes everything look more attractive.
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Comment by shoreacres — April 15, 2013 @ 6:47 am
Yes, I love the transition times here. It can be warm and sunny and cold and snowy all in one day. One of my favorite photos was taken about this time in 2008. I was photographing a Glacier Lily in a driving snowstorm and looked way up on the cliffs above me and saw this Big Horn looking down at me.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:36 pm
It’s nice to have such a handsome audience.
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Comment by Candace — April 18, 2013 @ 12:13 am
That reminds me. It’s about time for a visit there again!
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Comment by montucky — April 18, 2013 @ 8:33 pm
Hi Montucky, You have excellent photographic skills! That is a lovely flower and snow looks awfully refreshing to me. It will be a warm and stormy afternoon here in FL. Can’t complain. Have a super nice day!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — April 15, 2013 @ 11:18 am
Thanks! I’m sure you are enjoying the warm weather now in Florida! Snow is always lovely to see from a distance,i isn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:39 pm
Oh, gosh, more snow? Don’t send it my way, Montucky! š Loved the photos, by the way.
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — April 15, 2013 @ 1:00 pm
Actually, we would like to keep all of the snow we can. Seems like it could have been a little better distributed this year. The Dakotas are getting some pretty good snow right now: it just missed us.
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Comment by montucky — April 15, 2013 @ 9:41 pm
So incredibly lovely…. And such strength in these blossoms’ beauty!
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Comment by FeyGirl — April 16, 2013 @ 7:01 am
I don’t know what their purpose is in the plant world, but they sure brighten up mine!
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Comment by montucky — April 16, 2013 @ 8:24 pm
So beautiful . . . thank you, Ellen
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Comment by Ellen Grace Olinger — April 16, 2013 @ 9:52 am
Thanks Ellen!
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Comment by montucky — April 16, 2013 @ 8:24 pm
Suddenly like spring here! But no flowers like in your neck of the woods!
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Comment by WildBill — April 16, 2013 @ 5:26 pm
I’m glad spring is coming to you! The flowers will come.
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Comment by montucky — April 16, 2013 @ 8:25 pm
Glad to see yet more precip in your neck of the woods. Lovely image of bluebells and snow.
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Comment by twoscamps — April 16, 2013 @ 8:03 pm
Well, we’re still getting moisture. Cold tonight though. Missoula broke a record last night for the day at 19Āŗ.
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Comment by montucky — April 16, 2013 @ 8:26 pm
Sorry, but my first response is UGH !
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Comment by twoscamps — April 16, 2013 @ 8:32 pm
For about the tenth time this year I’ll say, “this should be the last of the cold”.
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Comment by montucky — April 16, 2013 @ 8:35 pm
Us too! Its one of those Springs…. Out like a LION.
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Comment by twoscamps — April 16, 2013 @ 8:38 pm
It’s what happens this time of year, right? I remember on my graduation day from CU which was something like May 20th, we had a big snow storm.
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Comment by Tammy — April 17, 2013 @ 8:33 am
It is. Last night it was 18, today 53.
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Comment by montucky — April 17, 2013 @ 7:56 pm
Snowflakes are a pretty accessory for bluebells…although they’re very lovely on their own. I like the first photo.
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Comment by Candace — April 18, 2013 @ 12:12 am
Those snowflakes may be valuable to the flowers. The ground is very dry here at low elevations where the bluebells grow. This may not be a good year for wildflowers at low elevations.
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Comment by montucky — April 18, 2013 @ 8:37 pm
What a beautiful combination of late winter and early spring. The snow on the bluebells is somehow bittersweet.
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Comment by Marcie — April 18, 2013 @ 9:25 am
Winter and spring now are like good friends kidding each other.
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Comment by montucky — April 18, 2013 @ 8:38 pm
First photo reminds me from my “old” home’s landscape. Second photo is great; it is a wonderful study of photography of the nature which You discovered.
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Comment by Sartenada — April 18, 2013 @ 11:26 pm
That is a section (640 acres) of land owned by the state and managed for timber. It is close to my house and a pleasant place to walk without a lot of effort. There are lots of wildflowers living there too.
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Comment by montucky — April 19, 2013 @ 9:09 pm
Beautiful, Terry…I love your tall pines and the tiny snowflakes on the flower….
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Comment by seekraz — April 20, 2013 @ 10:51 am
I thought it the perfect setting for a newly-born bluebell.
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Comment by montucky — April 20, 2013 @ 8:02 pm
Surprised… i didn’t figure you ever left your camera at home! Glad you were able to find it again and share. š
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Comment by kcjewel — April 21, 2013 @ 8:20 am
Sometimes in wet weather I won’t take it if I don’t think there will be anything blooming. I should know better.
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Comment by montucky — April 21, 2013 @ 7:25 pm
Love the bluebells. I also love buttercups (and wish my husband felt the same about them: he pulls them out. Poor little flowers.)
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Comment by Val — April 23, 2013 @ 3:41 pm
I love all of the wildflowers. They provide a whole summer full of bright spots.
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Comment by montucky — April 23, 2013 @ 8:52 pm