Sun Jun 18 21:39:42 MDT 2006
Photo - Spring: Parry's Primrose
I was a bit surprised these turned out. Apparently, and I wish I'd known this when we saw Parry's Primrose, if you even slightly touch the plant, it releases a quite foul odor. Of course, I didn't know. I didn't touch it. I can't describe the odor. Sorry.
Parry's Primrose (Primula parryi)
Taken: June, 2006: Long Lake Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado
Mon May 29 22:49:59 MDT 2006
Photo - Spring: Globe Flower and Marsh Marigold
Globe Flower (Trollius albiflorus)
Marsh Marigold (Psychrophila leptosepala)
The Globe Flowers, Marsh Marigold, and Glacier Lily (not pictured) were all over the banks lining the streams in IP Wilderness. It was a bit early to get up to Diamond Lake, still too much snow. The hike was not without its rewards, however. In particular, I enjoyed the Glacier Lilies but, of course, the photos came out blurry. Perhaps I need a lesson on using my camera... or maybe I need to revert to manual focus 35mm.
Taken: May, 2006: Diamond Lake Trail, Indian Peaks Wilderness, Colorado
Sun May 7 22:54:10 MDT 2006
Photo - Spring: American Pasqueflower
South Dakota's state flower, American Pasqueflower - The last photo is of the Pasqueflower after it has gone to seed. I didn't recognize it as such when I took the photo, and had actually given up on identifying it.
American Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)
Taken: May, 2006: Mesa Trail, Boulder, Colorado
Sun Apr 23 01:03:07 MDT 2006
Photo - Winter: Cone Pits
One of my favorite things about winter hikes are the pinecones. The sun reflects off of the snow, but the pinecones (and other things with relatively low albedos) absorb the sunlight, get warm, and melt themselves into the snow. I took about 3-6 additional photos of cone-pits, but they were so bloody blurry, that I trashed them.
Taken: Winter, 2005: Brainard Lake Trail, Colorado
Wed Apr 19 08:43:07 MDT 2006
Photo - Spring: Return of the Tent Caterpillar
The Western Tent Caterpillars are back. I caught them a little bit earlier this year than last, but the nets of silk around several of the shrubs in Chautauqua park are pretty obvious. There are debates about whether these caterpillars are problematic or simply a nuisance. When a particularly large number of caterpillars hatch, the resulting defiliation can be fatal to old and/or unhealthy trees. That said, it also allows more sunlight to reach the ground, where new trees might need additional light.
Western Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum)
Taken: April, 2006: Chautauqua Park, Boulder, Colorado