Perennially

On August 12, 2020August 7, 2020 By Mike and Christy9 Comments

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Our annual tribute to a perennial favorite wildflower of ours Painted Brush or Indian Paintbrush if you will. The plant belongs to the genus Castilleja of which there are over 200 documents species in the Americas. With 24 species in the Rocky Mountain region and with of those species nine in our local area we are always noting the subtle differences in colors, texture and shapes among these beautiful plants.

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This years photos were taken on a hike up an alpine ridge with this beautiful orange-red variety being most prevalent that day.

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Until we meet again.

Campion

On August 10, 2020August 7, 2020 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

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Campion or “bladder” flower is one of those weed or wildflower flowers. Our local agricultural extension classifies it as a nuisance. We have several species in our area and this one is either a Bladder Campion: Silene latifolia or Parry’s Campion: Silene parryi. My untrained eye is unable to distinguish between the two and even if it is a weed it is a fine looking weed.

In an alpine garden

On August 7, 2020August 2, 2020 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

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Just above tree-line we encountered a wonderful alpine garden. Innumerable varieties of alpine wildflowers packed to the gills growing in rockiest of rocky soil most only inches tall.

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It was had to traverse the path up the ridge without an ill feeling of stepping on these wonderful flowers. Alpine_gardens_0003

So we just settled down close to the ground and photographed a field of flowers that seemed a universe unto it’s own. Alpine_gardens_0004

Wishing you a wonderful weekend and hope you can all enjoy a bit of time outside.

ants in the plants

On August 5, 2020August 9, 2020 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

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Granted no one wants ants in the pants but ants in the plants is another thing all together. One a fine summer day the ants were just as abundant as the wildflowers along the trail from the Rocky Mountain Penstemon pictured above to…

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the Townsends daisies and Larkspur…

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and the Painted Brush.

It’s not so bad to to have ants in the plants.

Wild Blue Flax: Linum lewisii

On August 3, 2020August 3, 2020 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

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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

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Either growing with a Townsends Daisy in a meadow…

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or short as can be in an alpine rock garden.

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A treat of summer and always a welcome sight

…and sat down beside her

On July 31, 2020July 31, 2020 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

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There she was a beautiful Triteleia Grandiflora just hanging out minding her own business.

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When who should appear and sit down beside her…

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But this small little spider.

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They make a fine couple don’t you think?

Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend.

More Music

On July 20, 2020July 19, 2020 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

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The wildflowers were still singing and the music was sweet as sweet can be.

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A symphony of yellow and purple as color was transformed to sound this summer day.

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Happy Monday and wishing you a wonderful week.

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Like Music

On July 14, 2020 By Mike and Christy10 Comments

Like_music_001 A field of flowers like notes on a staff creating a not only a sight but filling the ears with a harmonious sound.

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There are indeed times when the wildflowers sing. Like music, your favorite music.

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A feast for the ears as well as the eyes.

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Variations

On July 7, 2020June 29, 2020 By Mike and Christy2 Comments

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Seeing variations on a theme along the trails we hike. Similar shapes yet different colors on fully display in white, yellow and purple. Each color selected over time to keep the wildflowers flowing, bees buzzing and the forest just that much more beautiful.

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