A real life "Spring Beauty"

Yesterday I had the fun  of visiting Helen Lee's Daffodil Garden near Gladewater Texas to see and shoot daffodils. One of the great surprises of the day was getting to see a flower I had long overlooked. This is the very small blossom of Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica). This plant is an early spring bloomer throughout most of North America. It is often one of the earliest signs of spring. I also learned that the coal miners of Appalachia refer to it as "Miner's Lettuce" as it was often used in hand picked salads.

Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

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Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)

Click in the image to view it in the original gallery

Enjoy other Macro shots at MACRO MONDAY!
Looking for  more floral images?  Try MACRO FLOWERS SATURDAY.
Feel free to visit TODAY'S FLOWERS as well.

Visions of Spring......

This week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY post.... click the link to see other wordless offerings....

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TODAY'S FLOWERS has lots of other floral images!
MACRO FLOWERS SATURDAY  & FLOWERS ON SATURDAY are also a great places to get your "floral fix"!
Visit OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY for still more great ourdoorsy pics!
Enjoy MACRO MONDAY for some smallscale fun!

Monarch on Ironweed

Today's image is from a visit I had to Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell's Inlet, South Carolina. This ever familiar monarch had landed on this small flower that captured my attention. I had never seen a flower quite like this before. I was particularly taken by the tubular stamens that the butterfly was exploiting for nectar. In addition, the purple and yellow coloration was such a pleasing contrast to my eye. I certainly hope this unusual contrast bring pleasure to you as well.

Monarch on Ironweed

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For more CAMERA CRITTERS click HERE
Enjoy the beauty of MACRO FLOWER SATURDAY HERE
To enjoy more of SCENIC SUNDAY click HERE
For MACRO MONDAY fun click HERE