Pasqueflowers — so named because they bloom around Easter and Passover — are some of the earliest flowers to bloom on the east side of the Sandia mountains.
I know of just two very specific areas where they bloom in the Sandias each spring, and have yet to find them anywhere else.
They bloomed so late this year that I couldn’t even see any when I first looked. Finally I realized there were actually a few buds, very close to the ground.
I’ve gone back multiple times over the last couple of weeks and was excited to find a scene which included so many blooms in various stages of development. The turquoise lichens in the background made me happy too — purple and turquoise is one of my favorite color combos.
Pasqueflowers’ very short blooming period (three weeks, max) makes them all the more precious in my eyes.
Such delicate aspects of nature. Wonderful to see these in all their glory. The bud is especially appealing with all the 'hairs' so clearly defined. I'm sure there is a correct botanical name for these little 'hairs' though I surely don't know it.