2024
Central Colorado Rockies

From our home base in Summit County, access to some of the best places in the state for wildflowers is very easy. Here are some of the results from the area this summer, including two new species for the website..

Please contact us with comments and if you see errors in identification.

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Campanula rotundifolia
(Harebell) 8077
Photo Details
Common Name Harebell, Bluebell, Bellflower
Scientific Name Campanula rotundifolia
Family Campanulaceae (Bellflower)
Date July 26, 2024
Location Farmer's Korner, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Chamerion latifolium
(Alpine Fireweed) 8083
Photo Details
Common Name Alpine Fireweed, Dwarf Fireweed
Scientific Name Chamerion latifolium
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date July 29, 2024
Location Middle Fork, Swan River, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/100 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Erythranthe tilingii
(Subalpine Monkeyflower) 8121
Photo Details
Common Name Subalpine Monkeyflower
Scientific Name Erythranthe tilingii
(Mimulus tilingii)
Family Phrymaceae (Lopseed)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/200 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannnii
(Hornemann’s Willowherb) 8134
Photo Details
Common Name Hornemann's Willowherb
Scientific Name Epilobium hornemannii var. hornemannii
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Galium boreale
(Northern Bedstraw) 6588
Photo Details
Common Name Northern Bedstraw
Scientific Name Galium boreale
Family Rubiaceae (Madder)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Hymenoxys grandiflora
(Old Man of the Mountain) 8224
Photo Details
Common Name Old Man of the Mountain
Scientific Name Hymenoxys grandiflora
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Mertensia oblongifolia
(Sagebrush Bluebells) 6550
Photo Details
Common Name Sagebrush Bluebells,
Oblong-leaf Bluebells
Scientific Name Mertensia oblongifolia
(Mertensia foliosa)
Family Boraginaceae (Forget-me-not)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/25 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
(Hairspine Prickly Pear) 6627
Photo Details
Common Name Hairspine Prickly Pear,
Starvation Prickly Pear
Scientific Name Opuntia polyacantha var. polyacantha
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Along CR 33 west of Williams Fork Reservoir, Grand County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 90 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/400 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Parnassia fimbriata
(Grass of Parnassus) 8293
Photo Details
Common Name Grass of Parnassus
Scientific Name Parnassia fimbriata
Family Celastraceae (Staff-tree)
Date August 20, 2024
Location Blue Lakes Road, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/11
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri
(Palmer’s Penstemon) 8346
Photo Details
Common Name Palmer's Penstemon
Scientific Name Penstemon palmeri var. palmeri
Family Plantaginaceae (Plantain)
Date August 21, 2024
Location Silver Shekel, Breckenridge, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/320 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Phlox multiflora
(Rocky Mountain Phlox) 6622
Photo Details
Common Name Rocky Mountain Phlox,
Many-flowered Phlox
Scientific Name Phlox multiflora
Family Polemoniaceae (Phlox)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 160 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details
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Potentilla hippiana
(Woolly Cinquefoil) 6573
Photo Details
Common Name Woolly Cinquefoil
Scientific Name Potentilla hippiana
Family Rosaceae (Rose)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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NEW! Potentilla ovina var. decurrens
(Sheep Cinquefoil) 6530
Photo Details
Common Name Sheep Cinquefoil
Scientific Name Potentilla ovina var. decurrens
Family Rosaceae (Rose)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 130 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Senecio amplectens var. holmii
(Holm’s Ragwort) 8151
Photo Details
Common Name Holm's Ragwort
Scientific Name Senecio amplectens var. holmii
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/18
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Senecio fremontii var. blitoides
(Dwarf Mountain Ragwort) 8183
Photo Details
Common Name Dwarf Mountain Ragwort
Scientific Name Senecio fremontii var. blitoides
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 100 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Senecio soldanella
(Colorado Ragwort) 8218
Photo Details
Common Name Colorado Ragwort
Scientific Name Senecio soldanella
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date August 2, 2024
Location Upper Straight Creek Trail, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/160 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Spiranthes romanzoffiana
(Lady’s Tresses) 8286
Photo Details
Common Name Lady's Tresses, Hooded Lady's Tresses
Scientific Name Spiranthes romanzoffiana
Family Orchidaceae (Orchid)
Date August 20, 2024
Location McCullough Gulch, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details
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Symphoricarpos rotundifolius
(Roundleaf Snowberry) 6515
Photo Details
Common Name Roundleaf Snowberry,
Mountain Snowberry
Scientific Name Symphoricarpos rotundifolius
(Symphoricarpos oreophilus)
Family Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)
Date July 4, 2024
Location Ute Pass, Summit County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/50 sec.
ISO 800
More Photos and Plant Details

© Tom Lebsack 2024

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