Symbols of the Silver State

While in Nevada recently, I had the opportunity to shoot photographs of two of the state symbols.


The state bird of Nevada is the Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides).


The state flower of Nevada is Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata).

I can clearly see why the Mountain Bluebird is the state bird, as it is abundant and brightly colored. Big Sagebrush as the state flower is an interesting choice. It certainly is abundant and it smells wonderful, but its flowers are individually inconspicuous. I would understand if it was the state plant or the state shrub, as in definitely deserves a place as one of the symbols of the Silver State, but surely there are common, widespread plants with more attractive flowers in Nevada.