2025
Southeastern Colorado

On our way from Texas to the Colorado mountains we stopped for a time in Southeastern Colorado in La Junta. Our objective was to visit Picket Wire Canyon in the Comanche National Grasslands south of La Junta. We arrived on one of  the hottest days of the season, up to 105 degrees F, so hiking was a challenge. But we found a lot in bloom, including eight new species for the website. These haven’t been posted yet, please check back.

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

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Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata
(Tree Cholla) 7946/7957
Photo Details
Common Name Tree Cholla
Cane Cholla
Scientific Name Cylindropuntia imbricata var. imbricata
(Opuntia imbricata var. imbricata, Opuntia imbricata var. arborescens)
Family Cactaceae (Cactus)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Commanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture Focus Stack of 12 images at f/6.3
Speed 1/640 sec.
ISO 1600
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Evolvulus nuttallianus
(Shaggy Dwarf Morning-glory)) 8017
Photo Details
Common Name Shaggy Dwarf Morning-glory
Scientific Name Evolvulus nuttallianus
Family Convolvulaceae (Morning Glory)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/14
Speed 1/30 sec.
ISO 400
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Gilia clokeyi
(Clokey’s Gilia) 7885
Photo Details
Common Name Clokey's Gilia
Scientific Name Gilia clokeyi
Family Polemoniaceae (Phlox)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikon Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180 mm
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/10 sec.
ISO 400
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Helianthus annuus
(Sunflower) 08128
Photo Details
Common Name Sunflower, Common Sunflower
Scientific Name Helianthus annuus
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Sony RX100-IV
Lens Leica 24-70 mm, f/1.8-2.8
Focal Length 70 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/5.6
Speed 1/125 sec.
ISO 125
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Oenothera albicaulis
(Whitest Evening Primrose) 7873
Photo Details
Common Name Whitest Evening Primrose
Scientific Name Oenothera albicaulis
Family Onagraceae (Evening Primrose)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm, f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 170 mm
Aperture f/13
Speed 1/250 sec.
ISO 1600
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Proboscidea louisianica ssp. louisianica
(Ram’s Horn) 4273
Photo Details
Common Name Ram's Horn, Common Devil's Claw
Scientific Name Proboscidea louisianica ssp. louisianica
Family Martyniaceae (Unicorn Plant)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Vogel Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens Apple 78 mm (35 mm equivalent), f/1.78
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/3900 sec.
ISO 64
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Stanleya pinnata
(Desert Prince’s Bloom) 4252
Photo Details
Common Name Desert Prince's Plume
Scientific Name Stanleya pinnata
Family Brassicaceae (Mustard)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens Apple 78 mm (35 mm equivalent), f/1.78
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/1.8
Speed 1/8000 sec.
ISO 64
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Tradescantia occidentalis
(Prairie Spiderwort) 7898
Photo Details
Common Name Prairie Spiderwort
Scientific Name Tradescantia occidentalis
Family Commelinaceae (Spiderwort)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 122
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/60 sec.
ISO 1600
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Yucca glauca
(Great Plains Yucca) 4259
Photo Details
Common Name Great Plains Yucca, Soapweed
Scientific Name Yucca glauca
Family Asperagaceae (Asperagus)
Date June 21, 2025
Location David Canyon Rd. north of Vogel Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Lens Apple 78 mm (35 mm equivalent), f/2.78
Focal Length 78 mm (35 mm equivalent)
Aperture f/2.8
Speed 1/9500 sec.
ISO 32
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Zinnia grandiflora
(Rocky Mountain Zinnia) 7927
Photo Details
Common Name Rocky Mountain Zinnia, Plains Zinnia
Scientific Name Zinnia grandiflora
Family Asteraceae (Sunflower)
Date June 21, 2025
Location Along Rourke Rd. near Picket Wire Canyon, Comanche National Grasslands, Otero County
Camera Nikon D810
Lens Nikkor Micro 70-180 mm f/4.5-5.6
Focal Length 180
Aperture f/16
Speed 1/80 sec.
ISO 1600
More Photos and Plant Details

© Tom Lebsack 2025

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

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