Round and round we go

/ Tracy Abell

Despite today’s frigid temperatures, spring is around the corner, and I’m warming myself with memories of a hike in the open space last June. We’d gotten lots of snow last winter and so the flowers were magnificent.

Here’s a burst of color from a type of blooming thistle that’s probably invasive and somewhat annoying when it scratches my legs as I run past on the trails. But pretty, right?

June 24, 2021

I don’t have the time to identify these yellow wildflowers because, well, there are sh*t-tons of yellow wildflowers. But it’s a lovely little wheel, isn’t it?

Here’s another probably-invasive thistle which is also scratchy-scratchy when I run past, but right now reminds me of a burst of warm, pink sunshine.

Lastly, here’s a delicate specimen that, despite its straight-forward appearance, defies identification. White and yellow wildflowers definitely test my skills.

This latest snowfall is priming the ground for another glorious wildflower display and I look forward to exploring with my camera in a few months.

7 thoughts on “Round and round we go”

  2. I think I can help you out with some of the plant identification.
    1. Canada thistle. It is indeed invasive, but bees love it.
    2. a Senicio of some sort, I think. I really should figure it out, because like you, I see them everywhere along the trail in the summer time.
    3. Bristle thistle. These first three are all in the sunflower family, and all introduced invaders.
    4. Plains prickly poppy, in the poppy family. Although it is found in disturbed areas, it is a native to Colorado.
    But they do all look very summery. Nice to see on this frigid late late winter day.

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    • I knew you’d come through for me, Amy! I almost tagged you in the post. 🙂 Thank you for the clarification. Should’ve known the prickly poppy as I identified that last summer. Here’s to the warmer weather headed our way…

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