Spring is literally everywhere in the Rock Mountain west.  In the higher elevations, it has just begun or is beginning, whereas in lower climates, it has already completed its cycle.  In Santa Fe, the temperatures have been on a bit of a roller coaster ride, as they frequently are here, so we are somewhere in the middle of spring.  Since I started paying attention to weather, the professionals who predict it for us have always discouraged gardeners from planting until the 15th of May.  Late frosts at 7,000 feet are common.  So we wait and count on the ephemerals to notify us that spring is on its way. 

I found two good explanations of ephemeral.  Basically, they are plants, bulbs, and even flowers on fruit trees that last for a short period time. Other descriptors include transient or fleeting.  Many bulbs from daffodils and tulips to the flowers of fruit-bearing trees including apricots and cherries are considered ephemeral in character.  They bloom for a short period of time and that is it.  The parrot tulips I featured in my blog three weeks ago, are gone.  But they left a few parts of themselves in the form of petals, not the outrageously bright red and white, but mellowed to a shade of fuchsia.

Flowers - parrot tulip petals 1

The Pheasant's Eye daffodils had an amazing run this year, but are now retreating from center stage.  

flowers - Pheasant's eye daffodils

Now it is the columbine in many colors and sizes that have taken over the garden show.  Origami Red and White is one of the first to open in the nearly "forest primeval" parts of the garden.  A bit of sunlight hit the flower at just the right time for the red and white petals to show their intensity.

Flowers - columbine - Origami red and white 4 2026

In full shade and yet to completely open, the flower seems to be more of a burgundy color.

Flowers - columbine - Origami red and white 2 2026
 

The McKana Giant Columbine have burst forth this week in varied pastels.

Flowers - columbine McKana Giant 2 2026

  Flowers - columbine McKana Giant 3 2026

Floweres - columbine - McKana Giant 4 2026
 

Finally, the swallowtail columbine started their bloom two days ago.  Their spurs - definitive parts of all columbine flowers - are particular long and wild on the swallowtail.  

Flowers - columbine - swallowtail 1 2026

Flower - columbine - swallowtail 2 2026      

Somehow, as the season changes and the times seem to be changing as well, I leave you with one verse of the Bob Dylan song from 1964 "The Times They Are a Changin' "

"Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won't come again
And don't speak too soon
For the wheel's still in spin
And there's no tellin' who
That it's namin'
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin' "

To Ross, Jean and Sam, Lisa S., TTT, Ann M., Gustavo, Victoria, Karren, Robert U., Bill, Catherine, Steve, Tim A., Marilyn G., and Geula goes my thanks for writing from a number of different places and situations around the world.

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image©