Natural History Wanderings

The Rocky Mt. Nature Photographers have the following new wildflower updates

I just returned from atop the Paria Plateau.  Prickly pear are profuse and prime with pink and magenta blooms.  Lots of white primrose.  The yellow mule ear flowers are slightly past peak with many frazzled and few buds.  If one were to target the mule ear bloom at SCB and WP, I would say the first week of June would be a good time frame.  Clear skies and climbing temps this coming week might do them in although the sand is moist from recent rains.  The plateau sure looks green for this time in June.

Lumpy Ridge loop.  Usually Cow Creek meadows get crispy quickly, but it was looking good.  Mostly small-petaled flowers (delphiniums, a few lupine, wild roses, arnica, astragalus, white & yellow daisies, alpine bluebells — all the usual suspects) plus larger ones of Boulder raspberry, RM iris and these guys.

And a quick tour of RMNP.  Iris are coming along nicely.  Lots of elk.