June 28, 2010

Finding Spring


On the drive down from the Leidy Peak trailhead at 11,000 feet, we left the snow and began to see more wildflowers. 
At 9500 feet, there was a profusion of yellow, mostly mountain dandelions and a sprinkling of buttercups.
At 8500 feet, the grass was taller and the flowers were more diverse.  (This view shows Marsh Peak, 12,200, in the distance.)
There were sunrays,
larkspur,
a few scarlet gilia, also called skyrocket,
and an abundance of phlox.
Serviceberry
and chokecherry were in full blossom.
Lupine bloomed along the road.
Here is Red Mountain, 7700 feet at the top.  The trailhead at the bottom of the mountain is only about 6600 feet.  There, spring is past.  Summer has arrived.
For views from many fascinating worlds, click here.

27 comments:

  1. Janie, I love that second shot - the landscape seems to funnel the eye toward the middle. Your wildflowers are growing; soon more of mine will be, too.

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  2. I love the way it went from snow to the wild flower field. Great sequence from your world.

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  3. Beautiful landscape all around and the flowers are beautiful.

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  4. I agree with Carver -- love going from snow to the wild flowers! And such lovely and colorful flowers they are! Hope you have a wonderful week, Janie!

    Sylvia

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  5. So many beautiful flowers and diverse colors too.
    Thanks for sharing the pretties today!

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  6. What a stunning picture of Daisy. She could be a doggie model.

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  7. Glorious! Your Daisy is a sterling dog - an example to all dogdom!
    (Janie, you mentioned that Steve used to raise racing pigeons. Can he say whether they're inclined to fly at dawn or dusk? I assume dusk, since they (apparently) navigate by the earth's magnetic field and raptors don't fly by night so they'd be safe from them. Pigeons don't need acute eyesight(I think)as they're seed-feeders. Just curious - 'our' racer is still with us but preening more . . . )

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  8. aloha,

    those are pretty views and wildflower photographs, thanks for sharing these

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  9. You have so many interesting outings. I'm still major jealous.

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  10. looks like Daisy is having fun...great photos...

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  11. Janie, your world has so much to offer! Expansive view of the the field with those wildflowers!
    Sigh, I can only climb up to a thousand.

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  12. Janie it is so wonderful to see places with wildflowers. Where nature is still in harmony. Your header with the wildflower meadow is delightful.
    I feel so sad for all who are in peril because of this terrible oil spill in the ocean. Please lobby your government not to drill in Alaska which BP has next in its schedule. I think they have enough damage done.

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  13. By going up and down all of the elevations--you can experience winter, spring and summer!!!! Life is never boring in Utah, is it?????

    Love snow---but I also love the spring wildflowers and blooming trees... Gorgeous!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  14. Beautiful world Janie. Such amazing captures. Thank you for sharing.
    Enjoy a great week.

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  15. Excellent botanical tour de force. Interesting flora.

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  16. Janie, I love Daisy in the snow and can just imagine her with pollen on her whiskers as she bounds throught he wild flowers. Thanks for sharing these AMAZING images. What a beautiful country you live in. Thanks too for visiting my blog and your kind comments. Due to time constraints, I've not been able to visit blogs but appreciate seeing you over at mine.

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  17. It's so amazing how much different a few 1000 ft can make. We are seeing the same blooms here, finally.

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  18. Ooh, I've never thought of Phlox as being a wildflower! yet, there they are!
    Amazing photos Janie.

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  19. Extreme changes! Great shots...your dog is beautiful!

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  20. Great series of photos. I enjoyed your trip. Thanks for sharing.

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  21. What an awesome descriptions! Like a profusion of yellow dandelions and a sprinkling of buttercups.

    If these beautiful words will line together, voila! it will be nature's best poem!

    (Permission sought: As I haven't seen most of these wild flowers in my life, may I have the privileged to copy them? I made you a special file just for you. Remember a long time ago I also asked to copy the flowers on those rugged rocky mountain trail you had? Oh please Jan. But I will do so when I get your reply and when I get back home. I am going to my daughter today after working on a couple of Memes).

    Thanks Jan.

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  22. Oh, how the spring flowers in the mountains stir the feeling for exploring yonder hills. Great photos.

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  23. wow these wild flowers. I like your header photo.

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  24. Yea for summer! That photo of Daisy makes me think of my friend's photo album on Facebook called "Snow at Ridiculous Times of the Year."

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  25. Nice scarlet gilia--scarce here. Took me years to figure out what locals meant when they said "Sarvus Berry."

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  26. the mountain meadows are very pretty this time of year aren't they?

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