up to the mountains, into the shadows

June 14, 2026 • 8 Comments

As the temperatures began to rise, informing us in no uncertain terms that summer had arrived, we felt it was time to head into the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and take a deep breath of the wildly wonderful air at 9,000 feet elevation. Given my obsession with nature, trees, and wildflowers, it was a no-brainer that a camera would be swinging rhythmically on my shoulder. Under a totally cloudless blue sky, the only question was "What is blooming?"

Anywhere is the mountains, regardless of time of day, the variety of tall conifer and deciduous trees create a constant play of dark shadows and blinding light. It does provide a challenge for the photographer. Eyes need to adjust when viewing anything in the shadows, to find the secrets held there. And they are varied and many. Before rising to 10,000 feet, there is an abundance of yellow wallflowers, along with swallowtail butterflies dining on them. The swallowtail below, with only one chip missing from its left wing is a near-perfect beauty.

Paintbrush can be found up and down the trail, in numerous shades of orange and red, but there were a few that were absolutely glowing. I have yet to figure out why some are so saturated and others are muted. Soil in which they have planted themselves? Available water? Human contributions (if you know what I mean)? It is curious.

The paintbrush bloom here is more "normal" in color.

Several places along the trail have small streams of water emanating from higher on the mountain. Along those streams, during just the right time, you are treated to red columbine, shown in the next two photographs.

Also in areas where more moisture is available are "shooting stars". It is easy to see why they were named shooting stars, but also why they also carry the names "prairie pointers", and "rooster heads".

In the image below with one open flower aside another that has seen better days, the older flower feels like something from a watercolor painting.

I know they exist because the foliage is everywhere. But my timing is rarely right to see the Wood's roses in bloom. It was pure luck to see them in the group of flowers along the trail.

It was great for me and Fred alike to hear from so many of you this week about Fred's Rug 437. Thanks to Diane D., Steve, Connie, Victoria, Christina, Sara W., Geula, Kay, Jean & Sam, Sandra B., TTT, Catherine, Louis, Marillyn G., M. Fred B., and Ingrid for writing!

Have a wonderful week wherever you are, hopefully with camera at hand, and making memories along the way.

until next Monday,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: Aspen Vista Trail, Blacks Crossing Photography, Daryl A. Black, flowers, nature, New Mexico, paintbrush, photography, red Columbine, shooting stars, swallowtail butterfly, Wood's rose, yellow wall flower

Comments

Sandra Bray(non-registered)

I loved seeing the wildflowers, Daryl. So many have northern cousins, also blooming here in Ontario about now. We’ve had a late spring due to a record cold May so the blooms are an littje behind yours. And the swallowtails are here too.
That 2nd picture of the penstemon - what glorious lighting, Daryl. The blossom seems to glow from within. It’s a particular beauty. Warmed my heart. Thank you.
But,

Sandra Bray(non-registered)

Catherine Sobredo(non-registered)

Beautiful images, Daryl! Shooting stars, the eternal grace of columbines, the painterly withering flower and more are all simply precious! Thank you!

Catherine Sobredo(non-registered)

Beautiful images, Daryl! Shooting stars, the eternal grace of columbines, the painterly withering flower and more are all simply precious! Thank you!

TTT(non-registered)

So delicate!

No comments posted.