‘Tis the season for wildflowers here in Colorado. The timing and quality of the show wildflowers put on will vary yearly, based on such things as how wet of a winter and spring we had, temperature, and other variables. Blooms start earlier at lower elevations (May/June) and gradually move up in elevation as the summer goes on and alpine meadows melt out (July/Aug).

Below are a few taken this year on various hikes. All fun facts (well, most) are from the website Colorado’s Wildflowers.

Fun fact: Colombines turns white with age. If you see a white colombine, you will know it has been blooming for over 25 years.

Fun fact: I took a similar photo three years ago.

Fun fact #2: Sometimes they can be seen as more white than purple or blue (as seen a little bit here).

Fun fact: Most Indian paintbrushes are semi-parasitic, their roots establishing connections with roots of other species to leech nutrients.

Fun fact: They are actually not a marigold, but are part of the Buttercup family.

Fun fact: They are very patient while I’m laying in meadows taking photos.

Sign up for my newsletter and never miss a post. Learn more and sign up here.