Spring for real

Aspen trees have burst their pointed buds and are growing out tiny little leaves. Willow bushes no longer have naked yellow stalks waiting for Spring.  Yellow Warblers are perching  among the new Willow leaves, singing their territory boundaries.  Dusky Flycatchers have arrived ahead of the Warbling Vireos and Western Wood-Pewees.  I saw both Broad-tailed and Calliope Hummingbirds at Black Tail Ponds the other day.  Black-headed Grosbeaks are singing for a mate.
     Flowers, too, have felt the sunshine and are blooming.  First to flower were the Sage Buttercups and purple Rock Cress.  Recently I have seen Spring Beauty,  Yellow Violets,  deep purple Larkspurs,  and clusters of bright yellow Arrowleaf Balsamroot.  A surprise find 2 days ago:  the photo above is of a Clematis  "Sugar Bowl."    Lupines and Paintbrush are not far behind.

Yellowbells are a delicate meadow flower.

Shooting Stars are not abundant in the sage brush fields.  This cluster was a fun surprise.

Spring green Aspens and Willows along Snake River at Moose (southern end of the Park).