One of the best things about summer in Colorado is the explosion of colour in the mountains, and you don't have to venture far to find it. A trip up to Genesee Mountain Park, one of Denver's beautiful and accessible parks, proved to be a treasure hunt for wildflowers.
While the sweeping views are always stunning, the real magic on this day was found by slowing down and looking closer at the life blooming at my feet. From the vibrant pop of a Blanket Flower to the delicate structure of a Mariposa Lily, the meadows were alive with detail. It's a reminder that sometimes the grandest scenes are made up of the smallest, most intricate wonders. Here are some of the colours I found on this fine July afternoon.
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| The promise of next year's "weeds" and wishes. |
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| The wonderfully strange and sticky Curl Cup Gumweed (Grindelia squarrosa). |
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| The cheerful face of a Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus). |
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| A closer look reveals a tiny visitor: a Raspberry Beetle on the Gumweed. |
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| The intricate, painted center of a Mariposa Lily (Calochortus gunnisonii). |
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| The rich red and gold of a Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata). |
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| Even the spiky Rocky Mountain Thistle (Cirsium scopulorum) adds a splash of brilliant colour. |
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| The simple beauty of a Scotch Bellflower, also known as a Harebell (Campanula rotundifolia). |
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| Colour isn't just from flowers; the bright berries of the Wax Currant (Ribes cereum) were just as stunning. |
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| But the real treasures were found by exploring the meadows. |
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| A quick-moving resident, the Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel, pausing for just a moment. |
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| A different perspective on the thistle, showing the beauty of its form. |
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| The classic mountain views from Genesee Park are always a great place to spend a moment pondering the majesty of Colorado. |
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| The delicate, sky-blue petals of the Lewis Flax (Linum lewisii). |
Wherever your road takes you today, I hope that it is a colourful journey.
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