Last Standing

On September 21, 2020September 10, 2020 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

Last Standing

High up in the hills the flowers have all flowered and transition fills the air. What a wonderful time.

A job well done

On September 19, 2020August 21, 2020 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

The other day I saw a yellow flash land in a nice cedar tree. Thinking it was an unusual insect I quickly went over to get a look. Alas, it was not a new insect but a Honey Bee and to say this one was covered in pollen might be an understatement. This little bee could hard fly with the load they had acquired. After a few minutes of rest they slowly lifted off and headed back to the hive. A job well done.

Mantid Sunday

On September 13, 2020August 21, 2020 By Mike and Christy6 Comments

We typically see only a few Preying Mantis each summer either while out hiking or in our garden. Last week, while out on a hike, we saw numerous Mantids and each one matched the specific grasses they resided in. The Mantid above was in grasses that were a mix of green and brown and the Mantid was green and brown.

While the Mantid above resided in fresh green grass.

This Mantids above were right at home in a field of brown.

We even got a look at one Mantid hanging upside down.

Photographed in Denver, CO

Prickly Poppies

On September 12, 2020August 21, 2020 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

Prickly Poppies are a wonderful wildflower to have around. On our daily walks we can rest assured we will find some in bloom. Once found, we can stop for a moment and enjoy the show as beetles, bees and ants do their work pollinating these delicate flowers. Even now, as fall approaches and most of the other wildflowers have lost their blooms, a few Prickly Poppies are still going strong.

They a treat for they eyes, like little whipped cream sundaes with a cherries on top.

Those little prickles protect such delicate yet tough flowers.

I am looking forward to see how long they continue blooming into the fall.

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/argemone_pleiacantha.shtml

Denver, CO

Dressed in White

On September 10, 2020August 29, 2020 By Mike and Christy5 Comments

The coneflowers are one of the later bloomers in our area and provide a snack for some of the other late season visitors. In this case it’s a cabbage white butterfly getting a sip of nectar on late summer afternoon.

Old Green Eyes

On September 9, 2020August 29, 2020 By Mike and Christy8 Comments

A peculiar looking green-eyed bee/wasp enjoys a bit of time on the coneflowers.

Western Moss-heather: Cassiope mertensiana

On August 31, 2020August 21, 2020 By Mike and Christy4 Comments

Western Moss-heather is a beautiful plant that grows high up in the alpine environment in northwestern United States, Alaska and Canada. We happened across a nice patch flowering a few weeks ago.

Beautiful little bells hanging from redish stems with the plants growing about 4-5 inches tall at most.

Some patches almost seems to be growing directly out of the rocks along this wind whipped slope.

A flower we don’t encounter every summer on our hikes but one we will always remember.

One last alpine garden

On August 28, 2020August 21, 2020 By Mike and Christy3 Comments

A few weeks ago we we lucky enough to take a hike along a ridge above tree-line once again filled with alpine wildflower. Most growing only inches tall yet the display of color was stunning.