Wildflower Hike

We've been to Silver Lake in the Fall before, but not in the summer. I was hoping the wildflowers would be good there, though I think their peak time is more like late July. (We'll be back!) But this was such a fun field trip! It was a hot day, but pleasant enough in the canyon, and we brought a picnic with us. We also brought this outstanding little book:

The Wildflower Guide to Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, which I love because it's so specific and manageable! We had other wildflower books, but they were so extensive as to be overwhelming. You can buy this book right at the little visitor's center (?) by Silver Lake, and it shows you flowers specific to the Cottonwood Canyons. We also had three little even less extensive pamphlets that the boys carried with them and referred to. (Daisy wanted one also, but too bad for her.)

The book is spiral-bound and organized by color. Awesome.

It was such a gorgeous day.

Buttercups

Our favorite wildflower---it's called Elephanthead. Can you see why? It's so cute!!

Of course we never pick canyon wildflowers---but Abe just couldn't help himself from nipping off one tiny elephant head.

This koala bear looks like she's falling off. I couldn't get this carrier adjusted right; she was hanging too low. Just like your ears.

Seb assiduously consults his wildflower guide

My other favorite flower. These are called "shooting stars." Aren't they cool?

Mountain bluebell

This isn't a flower, but we love this "scouring rush" horsetail (We learned that the pioneers used it for scrubbing pots and utensils)

Heartleaf bittercress

Leafy Jacob's Ladder

Marsh marigold

I love this bog orchid. Each of the blossoms looks just like a large orchid you'd see in a corsage or a flower arrangement, but teeny tiny. So delicate!

Sticky Geranium (the purple one; the yellow is what my book calls "Slender cinquefoil" [for its five leaves], but it looks like what I've always called "buttercup.")

Wasatch Penstemon (for "five stamens"---we observed these)

Anyway, we had a great time and definitely want to repeat this trip again. It's so rewarding to know the names of plants and wildflowers! Identifying flowers something I've always aspired to, but I just haven't been able to as much as I've wished. But the kids really love it too---it's fun to come across something on a hike and know what it is! Having a concise field guide is very helpful, as was our study of plant shapes and anatomy earlier in the week. Everyone got really excited each time we found something we recognized!