Today the first crocus of the season is starting to bloom:
and the first Bumble bee of the new year made its appearance. (This was a “hip shot”: the Bumble was a very quick and very busy bee).
The first Draba verna is also blooming on a warm cliff just above the river.
Montana Outdoors 
Nice to see.
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Comment by Malcolm R. Campbell — March 7, 2016 @ 9:13 pm
Yes, It’s wonderful to see the flowers starting to bloom again!
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Comment by montucky — March 7, 2016 @ 9:15 pm
Beautiful shots. hard to believe flowers are blooming in Montana already.
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Comment by Michael Andrew Just — March 7, 2016 @ 10:13 pm
Thanks! This area is often called the “banana belt” of Montana. It is sheltered by several mountain ranges and has a little more mild climate than other regions.
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Comment by montucky — March 7, 2016 @ 10:21 pm
Wonderful to see after such a long winter.
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — March 8, 2016 @ 12:03 am
Spring always displays the optimism of the natural world, doesn’t it!
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 10:13 am
For sure!
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Comment by wordsfromanneli — March 8, 2016 @ 11:56 pm
Beautiful pictures. Also here in the UK everywhere is coming to life again. I love this time of year.
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Comment by Finn Holding — March 8, 2016 @ 2:53 am
Thanks Finn. I love this time of year also!
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 10:14 am
Beautiful pics! The hip shot worked very well! We saw a butterfly here yesterday, perhaps not surprising in view of the mild winter.
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Comment by Jo Woolf — March 8, 2016 @ 3:13 am
Thanks Jo. That bee was in a great hurry to get his things done. Seems there is an aura of haste when the world begins to regenerate.
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 10:15 am
The crocus shot is particularly lovely!
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Comment by Candace — March 8, 2016 @ 8:37 am
Thanks Candace. That little crocus gets very little care, but it has bloomed early every spring for over twenty years now and I always look forward to it.
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 10:17 am
Hi Montucky, I am oohing and aahing about your pictures – especially that top one with the purple Crocus! Wow! Have a great day.
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — March 8, 2016 @ 12:08 pm
Thanks wildlifewatcher! Have a great day too!
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 9:41 pm
It’s great to see both the flowers and bees. I haven’t seen either one here yet unless you count skunk cabbage,
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Comment by New Hampshire Garden Solutions — March 8, 2016 @ 4:12 pm
I was thinking that things were early this year, but my photo archives show they are about normal.
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 9:42 pm
No Draba verna in Texas! But it is lovely, and I especially like the petals. They make the flower look like a little garden whirly-gig. As for the crocus: well, who doesn’t like a little saturated color in the spring? It’s just beautiful. No wonder you look forward to its flowering.
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Comment by shoreacres — March 8, 2016 @ 5:03 pm
Draba verna is very pretty but so small it is usually overlooked. The flower is only about 1/8 inch across.
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 9:43 pm
How pretty that leaf pattern is of the Draba verna is.
Reminds me of an Australian native I’ve seen by the nearly river. I love the first Spring flowers and changing of the seasons. Hope you are getting out for more hikes now the weather is warming up.
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Comment by Vicki — March 8, 2016 @ 9:01 pm
It’s good to see the new flowers starting to bloom, and especially nice to see the bee already. The first Robins have come this week too. It’s below freezing tonight though.
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Comment by montucky — March 8, 2016 @ 9:46 pm
PS I should have proof-read that comment I just made, but you will know what I mean in those couple of typos.
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Comment by Vicki — March 8, 2016 @ 9:03 pm
I sighed with pleasure at your first pic, Terry. It’s magical. I love the way the detailed red centre appears to be peaking out from a mysterious dark cave. Gorgeous bee shot too. Spring has sprung. 🙂
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Comment by Jane — March 9, 2016 @ 3:58 am
These are the first few that bloom here. It will still be several weeks before the rest of the flowers start to bloom, and then many species will become active.
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2016 @ 9:42 am
it looks like i should take a trip south, i do that every year, to visit spring
no flowers here yet
but i do see a blade of grass here and there coming to life, also some snow flurries today, just a stormy moment in the day
lovely to see your photos
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Comment by Tammie — March 9, 2016 @ 5:00 am
It’s getting green here now and the first flowers are beginning to bloom, but it will be several more weeks before many more get active. I’m really looking forward to April!
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Comment by montucky — March 9, 2016 @ 9:44 am
Looks like spring has sprung. Coming a bit slowly here because the weather is fluctuating so much between warm and colder temps. But oh, it will be wonderful when it gets here!
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Comment by Mama's Empty Nest — March 11, 2016 @ 10:00 am
Each season is complete with its own wonders, isn’t it.
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Comment by montucky — March 11, 2016 @ 9:59 pm
I don’t find the Draba drab.
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Comment by Steve Schwartzman — March 12, 2016 @ 8:32 am
What’s in a name, I guess! They are pretty basic and very small, but welcome, as one of the earliest blossoms to appear.
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Comment by montucky — March 12, 2016 @ 9:26 am
Beautiful spring collection :)! Great shots. Bye. Kamila
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Comment by Kamila Pala — March 14, 2016 @ 9:44 am
Thank you Kamila!
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Comment by montucky — March 14, 2016 @ 12:19 pm
I love the first photo especially. We just came from the walk on the Lake Saimaa. Yes, is frozen and has snow cover where Nordic skiers go.
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Comment by Sartenada — March 15, 2016 @ 3:24 am
There was a brief snow shower here this morning too. That’s pretty normal for March.
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Comment by montucky — March 15, 2016 @ 9:15 am