11 July 2017 - Utah's Early Summer Wildflowers

In my never-ending quest for birds, I have been doing quite a bit of hiking in the Cottonwood Canyons as well as up in the Uintahs.  The larger snowpack we had this winter has contributed to some spectacular wildflower displays. It has been a treat to see so many old friends in the flower world. 

My mother was both a hiker and botanist and spent many hours collecting and drying specimens for the Garrett Herbarium at the University of Utah. She was often accompanied by Dr. Walter Cottam, professor of botany and ecology at the U.  You could not go hiking with one or both and not learn more than your brain could hold about plants. 

These flowers bring back so many memories. The high country meadows are lush in color and it is beautiful to behold. 

Some of the tiny plants are easily overlooked but they are worth watching for, such as the Steer's Head and our state flower, the Sego Lily.