ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLUMBINE--ONE TOUGH FLOWER
Two days ago this beautiful Rocky Mountain columbine flower stood tall on the berm in front of the house here in Anchorage, Alaska. Columbine flowers are recogn...
Read more
Two days ago this beautiful Rocky Mountain columbine flower stood tall on the berm in front of the house here in Anchorage, Alaska. Columbine flowers are recognizable by their long projections extending out the back, the bulbous tips of which are filled with rich tasty nectar. They are sometimes eaten as a snack or tossed into salads. As an adolescent, I tasted a few myself.
Columbine originated in the temperate region of Eurasia and came across the Bering land bridge reaching North America some 10,000 to 40,000 years ago, radiating into about 70 species. Along the way, the length and shape of the nectar extensions became a means of separating some Columbine species by controlling which of its three primary pollinators—bumblebees, hawk moths and hummingbirds—it allowed to reach its nectar sacs.
Yesterday a major weather system moved in, lashing the Columbine with wind and rain. A day later the storm is still going with wind gusts up to 46 mph (74 km per hour). Surprisingly the
Columbine stalk is still standing and the flower still attached albeit temporarily collapsed. The weather system is not due to move out of the area for another day or two
Read less
Columbine originated in the temperate region of Eurasia and came across the Bering land bridge reaching North America some 10,000 to 40,000 years ago, radiating into about 70 species. Along the way, the length and shape of the nectar extensions became a means of separating some Columbine species by controlling which of its three primary pollinators—bumblebees, hawk moths and hummingbirds—it allowed to reach its nectar sacs.
Yesterday a major weather system moved in, lashing the Columbine with wind and rain. A day later the storm is still going with wind gusts up to 46 mph (74 km per hour). Surprisingly the
Columbine stalk is still standing and the flower still attached albeit temporarily collapsed. The weather system is not due to move out of the area for another day or two
Read less
Jun, 2018Views
488
Likes
Awards
Winner in Petals and Pistils Photo Challenge
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Superb Composition
Outstanding Creativity
All Star
Magnificent Capture
Superior Skill
Top Ranks
Top 30 rankTop 30 rank week 1
Top 10 rankTop 10 rank week 1
Top 20 rank
Same photographer See all
