Our most recent heavy snow was just two weeks ago, and we’ve had a few flurries since then. But out in the countryside near Ulaanbaatar, wildflowers have begun to grow in profusion. 

Snow drops (above) are among the very first flowers to show.

Notice the small red ant on the right side of the photo. The centers of these particular flowers reveal a tell-tale indication of their age, with the youngest flowers having yellow centers. Most of the early wildflowers are small. But they’re everywhere, and close examination they often reveals intricate beauty…

…making us wish we knew more about these splashes of color.

And happy to come across something as familiar as Alaska’s state flower, forget-me-nots.

There’s wild rhubarb, too, and wild mint and caraway are abundant.

But it’s the flowers that capture our attention.

And leave us vowing to take a botany course when we return to Alaska.

The scene in Ulaanbaatar just over two weeks ago on May 11.