My first Prairie Crocus of the year

My first, and the only one I could find this afternoon, so I had no choice as far as a photogenic bloom was concerned. Last spring, I didn't see my first Prairie Crocus until 29th March. They are such beautiful flowers - love the silvery hairs.

"Legend tells of the Great Spirit giving this delicate plant a fur coat to keep it warm through cold spring nights." From the excellent book, "Plants of Alberta," by France Royer and Richard Dickinson.