A Fritillary Butterfly visiting an Arrowleaf Ragwort

Fritillary Butterfly (Speyeria sp.) 

Location:  Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA 

 I am not certain of the species of this pretty insect, but I believe it is a kind of Fritillary butterfly, probably of the genus Speyeria.   Fritillaries belong to the Nymphalidae family.  The wildflower this individual is visiting is called Arrowleaf Ragwort (Senecio triangularis). which is abundant in the western United States.

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, ready for hibernation

Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus lateralis) 

Location:  Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA 

My friend and I were hiking on an established trail around Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park.  We spotted a bench that overlooked the small lake, and decided to sit there to eat the sandwiches we had brought with us.  As soon as we unwrapped our food, this little guy appeared to beg for tidbits.  Although he was persistent to the point of being somewhat a pest, we didn't feed him.  Judging by his girth, he certainly was not starving!  In fact he looked very plump -- all ready for his winter hibernation.

Here is another photo of a Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel that I posted earlier this year.

Summit Lake, Mount Evans, Colorado

Summit Lake, elevation 12,830 feet 

Location:  Mount Evans, Colorado, USA 

Mount Evans is one of 55 "Fourteeners" in Colorado - i.e. mountain peaks with summits higher than 14,000 feet above sea level.  The summit of Mount Evans is at an elevation of 14,265 feet (4,348 meters).  This small but picturesque alpine lake is situated somewhat below the actual summit of Mount Evans, but at an elevation of 12,830 feet, a hike along the trail that skirts the shore of the lake still can leave you a bit breathless!


Here is a different view of Summit Lake, posted last month.

Leaves and fruit of the Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Location:  Standley Lake Regional Park, Westminster, CO, USA

The Russian Olive tree is a very common species in Colorado, especially in the eastern half of the state.  These trees, with their silvery leaves, flourish near streams and at the edges of marshes.  This photo was taken in September.  Later in the season the fruits, which are edible, turn a golden yellow.

Native to southeastern Europe and western Asia, the Russian Olive was introduced in the United States in the nineteenth century.  Originally cultivated in the U.S. as an ornamental plant, it eventually spread to the wild.

Here is a link to a fact sheet about the Russian Olive (2-page pdf) from the Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien Plant Working Group.

Bull Elk In Charge

Rocky Mountain Elk (Cervus canadensis nelsoni)

Location:  Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA

The photos above were taken in succession just a few seconds apart.  I had been photographing a small group of Elk cows that were grazing in a clearing in a pine forest in Rocky Mountain National Park. Suddenly this bull Elk came crashing through the trees at the edge of the clearing, and he was heading straight for me.  He trotted toward me at a pretty good pace, vocalizing as he approached.  I got the message immediately: "You leave my women alone!"

I made a hasty retreat -- probably not a moment too soon!  Satisfied that I had withdrawn an acceptable distance, Mr. Elk slowed his pace and then stopped, but he remained vigilant until I was completely out of sight.