We are Surrounded by Beauty and Wildflowers
We are Surrounded by Beauty and Wildflowers
Before we came here, I called the BLM office in Challis to talk to the guy in charge of the horses. I ended up leaving a message, and he called me back Friday morning. This was actually perfect timing, as we were wanting more information about were to find the herd. He was incredibly nice, helpful, and full of information about the area. We packed food, water, and the dogs then set off to explore the area he told me about. He said, at the very least it would be a beautiful drive, and on that he was 100% correct. We climbed in elevation considerably, and the wildflowers were amazing.
The lupine were pretty thick when we hit the higher elevations.
There was even a little bit of white lupine, which I rarely see.
When we were stopped at the top we saw 8 horses on a hillside pretty steep, and far away. Sadly, we had to be content with viewing from afar. There was a lot of this unusual pink flower in that area. This was a new one for me, so I had to look it up. It’s called Prairie smoke, and the second photo shows why.
I actually took this photo on Saturday when we went on a hike from the RV. We are at much lower elevation, and this flower was ahead of the one above. I like them both ways.
Driving was awesome because we were on a dirt road, and other than a rancher in a truck we didn’t see another person. This was great because we could stop whenever we wanted. We came to a spot where there was steep ravine full of pine trees. I said, “I wouldn’t doubt there is wildlife in there somewhere.” And sure enough, a small herd of elk started coming over the ridge. They were all mamas, and babies that we could tell. Sadly, we were way too far away for good photos.
We did have another awesome wildlife encounter, but that’s a blog post all on it’s own.
These next photos are just a random assortment of the wild flowers that are around us. This is Indian paintbrush, which is generally found red or maybe dark orange. Idaho, likes to mix things up however and has this lovely yellow color.
And the very special pink Indian paintbrush. This is hands down my favorite.
Pink is a pretty predominant wildflower color here. I don’t know if states have official colors, but pink needs to be it for Idaho.
This flower is called Bitterroot. It varies from almost white, to a darker pink.
These are cushion buckwheat. If you look closely, each flower which is about 1/2″ in diameter, is made up of a bunch of tiny flowers. These range in color from white, to dark pink too. I like these party colored ones.
When we went hiking on Saturday, we walked out the door and up this draw. That’s our RV, 2 1/2 miles away. The mountains that are around us are so beautiful.
These are the Lost river mountains that we have to the east, and south. Such rugged terrain.
Our Friday drive took us some pretty fun places, and I have couple more posts just to cover it all. So stay tuned.
Looks like endless opportunities to take in the beauty of nature and to take gorgeous photos!
Oh, those dessert PINKS, Mary! The path you sought toward the horses took you to an unexpected place where you definitely found beauty. I love hitch-hiking with you!
I’m glad you’re hitch hiking along with us. And yes, pink is certainly the color here.
Hello, gorgeous collection of wildflowers. It is neat seeing the herd of elk. The last scene is beautiful, lovely sky. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week!
Beautiful! So nice to see the animals and flowers.
Mary, are ticks a concern in that area? (Sorry, I’m OCD and whenever I see beautiful countryside my first thought is, “I wonder if you’d get ticks walking through there?”)
Funny you should ask about ticks. We rarely see them, I found one on Roxy years ago in Utah, and one on Torrey the year we were in Washington. When we did our hike on Saturday we left the dogs home. I came home and put my clothes on the bed and jumped in the shower. When I went back to the bedroom I saw something moving across the bedspread, it was a tick. I right away checked both dogs, my clothes, and Al’s clothes. Nothing other than that one. They are not super common in the west, I’ve always heard it gets too cold, or it’s too dry, or something. But, proof it can happen here when you go bushwacking through the sage brush.
Morning Mary. Love this post…all your posts. I wanted to tell you about a horse workshop. I subscribe to lots of things about horses. Don’t know if you know abut this but JoAnna Mendle Shaw is the Director of The Equus Project. She’s having a workshop in Santa Fe on 8/27. Title of the Workshop is Discovering the Inter Species Dance – A movement Workshop with Horses. Sounds like something perfect for you to do and photograph. Her email is: jmsnyc@aol.com
Thanks so much for the compliment. That sounds like a wonderful workshop, and it would be fun to photograph. I just don’t think we could get to Santa Fe that time of year. We will be in Wyoming, then need to be in South Dakota the end of September. We may or may not be in Utah making stuff if we need to. Thanks so much for thinking of me though, that really would be a fantastic thing to attend, and photograph. Maybe next time.
It must be Heaven to be out amongst wildlife and nature! I can’t wait to see your upcoming posts!! I wish I could be out there with you – or at least in my own RV with the hubby and pups!
Just keep those ponies rollin’ for us!
Absolutely beautiful. Loved all the flower images. We have prairie smoke here too. I am guessing that when it goes to seed is the smokey bit. I don’t think that I have ever seen yellow paintbrush, and some of the other flowers are new to me as well. Someday I hope to see the bitterroot blooming. Wishing you a lovely day.
Thanks for a wildflower fix. That’s something lacking around Prescott which has surprised me. Maybe I just haven’t driven to the right area yet. That last photo is a beauty!
The mountains are so lovely. I love the nature you share, and can’t wait to hear about your wildlife encounter. :-)
Oh my, what a gorgeous place you are at! There seems to be no end to the beauty. ♥