Morning Photo: Happy Easter

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Spring? not quite yet …

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Ptarmigan pasque flowers.

FRISCO — Yesterday we featured some spring snow photos in the daily photo essay, but Easter — whether you celebrate it as a religious holiday or not — definitely carries a connotation of spring, and for me, a resurrection of the warmer time of the year, when the Earth itself comes to life. And by this time last year, early wildflowers were already abloom on south-facing slopes, but not this year. That’s part of the beauty of living in the mountains — the seasons are unpredictable, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, right? (more…)

Filed under: Morning photo, photography, seasons, wildflowers | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Morning photo: Flower power III

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Seasons to come …

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Forget-me-not growing near the Meadow Creek trailhead.

FRISCO — Mixing it up a little bit with a few shots from the Summit Voice archives, and reminder that you don’t have to trek for miles into the backcountry to find exquisite beauty. All the flower images in this post were taken within 5 miles of our home in Frisco, and within a quarter mile of a major highway. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Morning photo, photography, Summit County Colorado, wildflowers | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

Morning photo: August calendar poll

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Summer days …

Mountain bluebell.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — August marks the peak of summer and the beginning of a long slide into autumn and, inevitably, winter. It’s not unusual to get a first dusting of snow on the very highest peaks late in the month; this year we had a couple of such dustings. But in the valleys, it’s high summer, with wildflowers in full bloom and warm breezes rustling the summer grass. Vote for your favorite August photo and help us pick the monthly image for the 2013 Summit Voice calendar.

(more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Morning photo, photography, seasons, Summit County Colorado, wildflowers | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: USFWS to consider Endangered Species Act protection for rare Rocky Mountain monkeyflower

Posted on August 29, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Moisture-dependent plant only known to grow in 7 spots

Monkeyflowers (not the species under consideration for listing) growing at a spring near Clinton Gulch Reservoir, in Summit County, Colorado.

Monkeyflower blossom.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The small and shy Rocky Mountain monkeyflower will be considered for protection under the Endangered Species Act, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The agency said this week it will take a hard look at the status of the wildflower, which only grows in seven known locations at subalpine elevations in the mountains west of Denver. The flower is threatened by direct human impacts as well as a changing climate that could dry up the seeps and springs that provide habitat on state and federal lands.

According to a 2003 U.S. Forest Service assessment, the species is not at risk from management actions on public lands, but its long-term persistence could depend on adequate management to minimize potential threats. (more…)

Filed under: biodiversity, Colorado, endangered species, Environment, global warming, wildflowers | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Morning photo: Back in Colorado …

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Late summer

Midday light can be harsh, but in this case, the sun shining top-dpwn helped by backlighting the gills of this forest mushroom. I used an Instagram filter with this iPhone photo to enhance the colors.

SUMMIT COUNTY — The mushrooms are popping and generous August rains have helped spur a late surge of wildflowers in the area … meanwhile, haze from distant wildfires help filter and soften the light — all in all, good conditions for photography in the high country. (more…)

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Colorado: The blooms are bursting just in time for Arapahoe Basin’s July 20 alpenglow dinner and wildflower hike

Posted on July 17, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Colorado menu featured at A-Basin’s latest summer event

Alpenglow lights up Arapahoe Basin in mid-May. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

Chiming bells growing near the Continental Divide. Photo courtesy Arapahoe Basin.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado’s growing season for wildflowers and produce may be short compared to other parts of the country, but it’s always sweet. Arapahoe Basin will highlight both this Friday (July 20) with the alpenglow dinner and wildflower hike at the Black Mountain Lodge.

Chef Chris Rybak is planning an all-Colorado menu for this event in the popular series, and there are still a few spots left. You can sign up online at A-Basin’s website.

Eating locally produced food is a great way to support Colorado ranchers and farmers, especially in a tough dry year like this, and it’s also makes sense environmentally by reducing the carbon footprint of the food you consume (think about trucking food all the way from California).

Chairlift rides up the mountain are between 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. and the dinner starts with light hors d’eouvres and live entertainment. Chef Rybak will begin serving the Colorado-themed meal at 6 p.m. and you can work off some of the calories with a twilight hike back down the mountain to the base area starting at about 8 p.m. (more…)

Filed under: agriculture, Colorado, mushrooms and fungi, Summit County Colorado, wildflowers | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

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