[best appreciated at full size against black]

I found this graceful budding flower at the end of the ridgeline hike from our house, and I wanted to show a close up of the bud because I think it's just so beautiful. Everything about this plant is lovely. I'll be showing one of its leaves on a later date--they're gorgeous! And wait until you see this flower in full blossom! I'm happy to find many of these popping up all over our hillside, so there will be many beautiful flowers to take pictures of as they mature!

This image was taken in March, 2012.