While reviewing some photos taken during 2013, I was reminded of the diversity that we encounter here during the month of April. Following are a few photos taken in April, 2013:
April 1, Thompson Pass ~ I hiked a mile and a half on snowshoes over six feet of snow to find a trail head but was unable to find it because all of the signs and markings were below the snow level.
April 5, our first Crocus was in bloom in one of the flower beds.
April 11, Western White Trillium, Trillium Ovatum in bloom at the bottom end of Munson Creek.
April 13, Darkthroat Shootingstar, Dodecatheon pulchellum blooming just above the river.
April 18, Western White Trillium, Trillium Ovatum in bloom 2 miles up the Munson Creek trail. This was the fourth consecutive year that I caught the spectacular bloom of the trilliums in that one small area along the trail.
April 21, A sudden spring snow brought a relapse back to winter.
April 22, Most of the previous day’s snow had already melted down by the river.
April 22, Holboell’s rockcress, Boechera pendulocarpa was in bloom on a warm rock face just above the river.
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 