Rocky Mountain Pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens)

At 7500 feet the Pasqueflower appears in our sunny front yard in early spring, in April, preceding Easter. More appear throughout May behind our house in the shade of the lodgepole pines.

The light lavender of the flower would not stand out from the pine needles it hovers over if not for the bright yellow stamens in the center that draw your eye.

Once the flower catches your attention and you bend over for a closer look you see tiny silver hairs cover the entire plant. What appears to be petals but are actually sepals give off a slight silver glow.

As the pasqueflower blooms for two weeks the head of the flower droops slightly as if in prayer. The mature plant is about 6” tall and the flower 3-4 inches across.

Each time the sun warms the morning the flower opens for the day. In the late afternoon the flower closes.

Information

Family- Buttercup

Genus- Anemone

One common name, Prairie smoke, because when many are seen in a field the lowered heads appear as to be smoke.

There is one flower per flower stalk (peduncle).

Whorled leaves (a spiral) surround the stem.

The flower is made up of sepals instead of petals.

Inside the flower a cluster of white styles (connecting the stigma which traps pollen and the ovary) are surrounded by a ring of yellow stamen (made up of the anther, male part that makes the pollen, and the filament)

For more information:

http://www.nps.gov/romo/pasqueflower.htm

Mule Deer

Young mule deer appear

black rimmed ears twitch

like beautiful butterfly wings.

Venus and Jupiter

Venus and Jupiter race
side by side in the west
while Mars watches

Tulips

Watching yellow tulips
slow dance with the morning sun
winter grey fades.

Aspen

Saturday, October 1st we take a car trip to Echo Mountain on Mount Evans to see the aspen turning.

Aspen trees intersperse the mountain side in colors of bright yellow and orange. The of aspen to pine varies greatly. The aspen shine as if lit from within. When a breeze moves through them their name, Quacking Aspens (Populus tremuloides), is perfect; they look like moving flames.

Between about 5500 feet and 9500 feet is the Montane Ecosystem

Climbing to 11,000 feet is the Subalpine Ecosystem. In this elevation lies Echo Lake. There is easy access all around the lake and lots of picnic areas so family members of all ages can enjoy fishing, sitting around a table visiting and enjoying the sights.

Kids can wade into the water and capture and release fairy shrimp. And if the weather is warm enough and the kids fast enough there are also plenty of minnows.

In the slightest breeze you can see that the name, Quaking Aspen, is completely appropriate. The leaves flutter; the trees appear alive. The occasional yellow butterfly passing through the leaves which are glowing as if lit from within give the impression the tree is exploding.

Pearly Whites

Justin has his braces removed.

When we get to the orthodontist’s office I snap a picture of Justin smiling to show his braces. 

He started this journey in September 2009 when he had seven teeth pulled to make room for permanent teeth that had no where to go. The day the doctor pulled all of the teeth he looked so pale as we left I felt like we’d let him down. I knew it was the thing to do, but the doctor said several would just fall out, and they didn’t. When we got home he slept a little and then instead of relaxing he felt fine. Wow, what a recovery! Wish I bounced back like that.

Leaving the orthodontist’s office I took another picture in the same chair, of my same child, without braces! He has a clear retainer to wear full-time a couple of weeks, and then just at night. Now its time to see how his permanent teeth come in. What a smile!

Hip Hop

Justin took hip hop lessons July 18th through the 21st, then Friday family and friends were invited to watch the class perform.

Monday the kids started off the week excited. They did appear to have much previous experience, but lots of enthusiasm. There were probably nine or ten girls and three boys.

The second day the teacher began to string moves together. She has blond hair that flips across her shoulders. Her posture is strong and smooth, more ballet looking than hip hop, she looks like a satisfied cat.

Wednesday my son let me know we couldn’t watch his class anymore because he wanted Friday’s performance to be a surprise. He told me this as he dressed in two shirts and added a studded bracelet to his wardrobe.

Friday kids arrived with big smiles and lots of extra accessories. Girls had frilly skirts and boys had baggy clothes. And everyone’s hair had attitude.

Kicks and handstands moved a line of dancers across the room as family watched. Then the kids turned to watch themselves in the mirror, and performed a full routine. Justin gave himself to the music, his shoulders bowing with the beat.