Each year as the temperatures warm and spring begins to make its way to Colorado, I take time to wander out into the pasture and up the hills into the woodlands to discover the treasures nature reveals. Over the last three or four weeks, we have had more snow days than sunny days. Spring showers here have greened the pastures, fed the ponds and brought delicate spring flowers out of dormancy. Two wildflowers announce spring's arrival more poignantly than any other—the Spring Beauty and the Pasque flower.

The dainty Spring Beauty blossom in full bloom is about the size of the tip of you finger. These delicate creatures of the wood grow in semi-shady areas under the boughs of a pine tree or in scrub oak groves. The flowers open to the sun and close when it is dark or cloudy. A mass of Spring Beauties in full bloom may appear as an almost gossamer skirt of lace circling the base of a pine tree.

The Pasque flower is also known as meadow anemone, prairie crocus, and wind flower. These velvety flowers may appear to be delicate, but they brave early spring weather—snow storms and freezing temperatures—to grace open meadows and hillsides.

These two flowers are among my favorites. Not only does their delicate beauty lift my spirits with their gentle grace, they are a harbinger of things to come; foretelling summer's pending appearance. The Spring Beauty and Pasque flower will soon go back to sleep and make way for their other more showy and vibrant relations, but they were the brave, early messengers marking the return of spring.