It's true that you can't make an ID from just the flower, however there aren't that many yellow composites blooming this early in the year around here. I'll bet it's one of the Groundsels (Packera spp, they just changed the name recently so it's listed as Senecio in older books.) Scroll down for some pics very like yours. There are a bunch of different species, so yours might not be this exact one. WW Here is a link that might be useful: Ragwort, Packera (Senecio)

I thought they were cute and brought a little sprig home to plant in the yard. I got scared the next spring when it started popping up everywhere and then it took me four years to get rid of it.... It does put on an amazing show. I remember seeing pink saucer magnolias in full bloom surrounded by a sea of these bright yellow flowers. Then I listened to someone complaining how they turn to mush after blooming and you couldn't mow the lawn because the mower would slide all over on the slime. ps: they are a different plant than the regular buttercups that grow in meadows and lawn.

You all have been so helpful in IDing my wildflowers for me. This Is my first year growing them. A blue flower opened today and I'm hoping someone knows the name. Thank u in advance!!

Texasranger, thank you!! It is so beautiful. I now have dozens of them growing in my yard, blue and white. Apparently the seeds must've blown out of the wildflower garden after I sowed them because they're growing in the wildflower garden AND the front yard, other garden beds, etc. I'm happy about it, though.. they're very romantic and interesting.. hence, the name, I suppose.. "love in a mist." I looked it up online and this is definitely what it is. A few of them have "died" and formed the big, swollen seed pods now.. those are beautiful looking, too. I will have to research when seed pod is ready to break open, or if it'll do so on it's own. What do you mean by "old fashioned annual?"