Gentle and elegant Wild Blue Flax dots the the west from prairies to alpine meadows and happily this summer we have seen our fair share
Either growing with a Townsends Daisy in a meadow…
or short as can be in an alpine rock garden.
A treat of summer and always a welcome sight
Monday morning meeting are no way to start the week unless it’s a nice short meeting with a fine coworker as was the case with this little butterfly. We met out in a field, cup of coffee in hand, had a quick discussion that was completely on point, then got right to work. No, not all meetings are bad.
One of the most interesting butterflies found in our area is the beautiful and fancy in a non-fancy sort of way Juniper Hairstreak. Widely distributed across the United States this butterfly is often seen in old fields, bluffs, barrens, juniper and pinyon-juniper woodlands, and cedar breaks. This one was photographed feeding on biscuit root along the base of a cliff that had several areas of Juniper growing. The male will sit all day upon the ends of juniper branches to attract a female.
A dose of afternoon sunlight brings out the best of things, these leaves included.
Light, leaves and color create a feeling as well as a sight.
Hope your weekend includes a bit of both.
Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.
With snow still lingering in scattered spots and the landscape just deciding it’s O.K. to turn green butterflies are starting to spring up and brighten the day. One of the first is the beautiful Mourning Cloak which can always be found hanging out up at butterfly hill.
Drop by drop
drip by drip
we get released
from winters grip
Todays post is brought to you courtesy of the forest floor. A place to discover wonders both large and small. Like the sculptural beauty of a leaf slowly working its way back to soil.
and a pine cone in all its’ glory.
So much to see in a 8 inch square.
yes, so much to see on the forest floor.
Harebells, or Bleubells if you prefer, have been a constant and happy companion of our hikes this summer. From sunny meadows to forested trails to hikes above tree line these flowers were always with us.
Harebells were Plant of the week on the USDA website and the linked articles contains some interesting facts describing the plants, it habitats and propagation methods.
A fairly ubiquitous flower yet one that really stands out.
A male Red Veined Meadow-Hawk dragonfly perches on an old branch just above eye level. Perched facing right, he took a quick flight, then perched on the same branch facing left. He provided us a wonderful view of what has to be considered a marvel of engineering and biomechanical design from his amazing exoskeleton right down to the structure of his wings.
Truly a marvel as well as marvelous to observe. Beauty, form and function all wrapped up in one fine package.
A Beardstounge Floats like a cloud in a sky of grass.
Headwaters State Park, MT.
nature has no boss 
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