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"American Colors" ...... (and ID Help)

Discussion

8 replies
Posted by John Zinn on July 6, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Here's one from last year in American Basin. I was pretty excited when I found this patch of red, white, and blue flowers, plus the mountains, plus the stream, and some clouds, and .... Hope you enjoy and I'd be curious about your thoughts on the taller flower on the left.

I could use some help ID'ing all the flowers. So far I have the King's crown, columbine, and white bistort on the right, and the blue/purple larkspur. I believe the white flowers on the left are bittercress but can anyone confirm. I also believe the yellow flowers on the bank are yellow monkeyflower and believe the yellow flowers on the right are cinquefoil (looks like a buttercup, 5 petals). What are the taller yellow flowers between the other two (senecio)? Also, there is a very prickly looking plant that is a light grayish green that I would like to ID. Any help? I should have picked up a book when I was out there because the internet site have too many obscure flowers.

John
Posted by Les Barstow on July 7, 2007 at 1:01 AM
If the prickly plant you're referring to is tucked just below the bistort, it looks like some kind of thistle; at that altitude, it's probably Cirsium scopulorum, usually referred to as Wooly Thistle or Alpine Thistle - though they look a bit scrawny.

It's a bit hard to tell at this resolution about those yellow flowers, but Senico looks likely.

Posted by Momo Vuyisich on July 7, 2007 at 2:12 PM
This is a beautiful photo. I would like to see a bit more sky and FG, but it is awesome as it is. Thank you for sharing. :smile:
Posted by John Zinn on July 7, 2007 at 4:38 PM
Momo, I agree. This was shot with a 90 mm lens. Now that I have a 65 I can go back and shoot it wider. :smile: :smile:

John
Posted by Stan Rose on July 7, 2007 at 6:34 PM
John, i love the comp. I dont particularly care for the taller flower as the scene is busy enough as is.
Posted by Rick Dunn on July 8, 2007 at 9:46 AM
I'm afraid I can't help with the flower ID - you got all of the ones that I'd recognize, and a couple that I wouldn't. Fantastic scene! I could do without the tall purple flower, but given the strength of the rest of the scene, and the fact that the rock behind it mitigates its impact, it's not a biggie to me.
Posted by Doug Andrews on July 8, 2007 at 1:01 PM
Can't help with the flowwr ID but I love the mix of colors in this. :toast:
Posted by Dan Walters on July 8, 2007 at 3:09 PM
Really like the colors and the comp. :toast:
Posted by John Zinn on July 9, 2007 at 2:23 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys, and thank Les for the ID. I'll have to look up the Wooly Thistle.

John