2022
Western Colorado

We made a trip to several locations in Western Colorado around the 4th of July. After going over Cottonwood and Kebler passes in Gunnison County (see our images from that area) we headed northwest on Gunnsion National Forest Road 265 toward Collbran and then to Colorado National Monument near Fruita, and the Uncomphagre Plateau southwest of Whitehorse to Norwood along the Divide Rd. Later we made a trip to the White River Plateau north of Glenwood Springs on August 1, following FR600, 601 and 602.
These areas yielded 12 new species for the website.
Please contact us with comments and if you see errors in identification.

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Castilleja linariifolia (Wyoming Paintbrush) 4414
Photo Details
Common Name Wyoming Paintbrush
Scientific Name Castilleja linariifolia
Family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Along Rimrock Drive, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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Chaetopappa ericoides (Rose Heath) 4238
Photo Details
Common Name Rose Heath, Small-flower Aster
Scientific Name Chaetopappa ericoides
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum (Cainville Thistle) 4384
Photo Details
Common Name Cainville Thistlee
Scientific Name Cirsium arizonicum var. bipinnatum
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Along Rimrock Drive, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Cirsium perplexans (Rocky Mountain Thistle) 4588
Photo Details
Common Name Rocky Mountain Thistle, Adobe Hills Thistle
Scientific Name Cirsium perplexans
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Clematis ligusticifolia (Virgin’s Bower) 4436
Photo Details
Common Name Virgin's Bower, Western White Clematis
Scientific Name Clematis ligusticifolia
Family Ranunculaceae (Buttercup)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/15 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Dracocephalum parviflorum (American Dragonhead) 4162
Photo Details
Common Name American Dragonhead
Scientific Name Dracocephalum parviflorum,
(Moldavica parviflora)
Family Lamiaceae (Mint)
Date July 4, 2022
Location Buzzard Divide Road, Gunnison National Forest, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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Erigeron divergens (Spreading Daisy) 4615
Photo Details
Common Name Spreading Daisy, Spreading Fleabane
Scientific Name Erigeron divergens
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Galium boreal (Northern Bedstraw) 4968
Photo Details
Common Name Northern Bedstraw
Scientific Name Galium boreale
Family Rubiaceae (Madder)
Date August 1, 2022
Location Deep Creek Overlook, White River Plateau, Garfield County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/500 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Grindelia fastigiata (Pointed Gumweed) 4344
Photo Details
Common Name Pointed Gumweed
Scientific Name Grindelia fastigiata
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Along Rimrock Drive, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Gutierrezia sarothrae (Broom Snakeweed) 4223
Photo Details
Common Name Broom Snakeweed
Scientific Name Gutierrezia sarothrae
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Heterotheca villosa (Hairy False Goldenaster) 4284
Photo Details
Common Name Hairy False Goldenaster
Scientific Name Heterotheca villosa
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Lepidium montanum (Mountain Pepperweed) 4445
Photo Details
Common Name Mountain Pepperweed
Scientific Name Lepidium montanum
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/40 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Lupinus pruniphilus (Big-leaf Lupine) 4472
Photo Details
Common Name Big-leaf Lupine
Scientific Name Lupinus prunophilus
(Lupinus polyphyllus var. prunophilus)
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/25 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) 4130
Photo Details
Common Name Sainfoin
Scientific Name Onobrychis viciifolia
Family Fabaceae (Pea)
Date July 4, 2022
Location Buzzard Divide Road, Gunnison National Forest, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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Orthocarpus luteus (Yellow Owl’s -clover) 4597
Photo Details
Common Name Yellow Owl's-clover
Scientific Name Orthocarpus luteus
Family Orobanchaceae (Broomrape)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Pinus flexilis (Limber Pine) 0046
Photo Details
Common Name Limber Pine
Scientific Name Pinus flexilis
Family Pinaceae (Pine)
Date August 1, 2022
Location Deep Creek Overlook, White River Plateau, Garfield County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4.0
Focal Length 120 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Polemonium foliosissimum (Leafy Jacob’s Ladder) 4108
Photo Details
Common Name Leafy Jacob's Ladder, Tall Jacob's Ladder
Scientific Name Polemonium foliosissimum
Family Polemoniaceae (Phlox)
Date July 4, 2022
Location Buzzard Divide Rd, Gunnison National Forest, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca (Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir) 0033
Photo Details
Common Name Rocky Mountain Douglas Fir
Scientific Name Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca
Family Pinaceae (Pine)
Date August 1, 2022
Location Deep Creek Overlook, White River Plateau, Garfield County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor 24-120 mm f/4.0
Focal Length 120 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/40 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana (Stansbury's Cliffrose) 4179
Photo Details
Common Name Stansbury's Cliffrose
Scientific Name Purshia mexicana var. stansburyana, Purshia stansburiana, Cowanania stansburyana
Family Rosaceae (Rose)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Alcove Trail, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Saxifraga bronchialis ssp. austromontana (Dotted Saxifrage) 4984
Photo Details
Common Name Dotted Saxifrage
Scientific Name Saxifraga bronchialis ssp. austromontana
Family Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage)
Date August 1, 2022
Location Deep Creek Overlook, White River Plateau, Garfield County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sisymbrium altissimum (Tumble Mustard) 4501
Photo Details
Common Name Tumble Mustard, Jim Hill Mustard
Scientific Name Sisymbrium altissimum
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Sphaeralcea coccinea (Scarlet Globemallow) 4477
Photo Details
Common Name Scarlet Globemallow
Scientific Name Sphaeralcea coccinea
Family Malvaceae (Mallow)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/40 sec.
ISO 400
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Stanleya pinnata (Desert Prince’s Plume) 4318
Photo Details
Common Name Desert Prince's Plume
Scientific Name Stanleya pinnata
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date July 5, 2022
Location Along Rimrock Drive, Colorado National Monument, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 200
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Verbena bracteata (Bigbract Verbena) 4650
Photo Details
Common Name Bigbract Verbena, Prostrate Vervain
Scientific Name Verbena bracteata
Family Verbenaceae (Verbena)
Date July 6, 2022
Location Along Divide Road, Uncompahgre Plateau, Mesa County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor-Micro 105 mm f/2.8
Focal Length 105 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details

© Tom Lebsack 2024

Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains