If I were writing a book on wildflowers, today’s subject would probably be my #1 Fave! The Blue Columbine (Aquilegia coerulea) has been a favorite of mine ever since I first found it growing in the Colorado mountains a few years ago (at Maroon Bells). The stunning blue pointed sepals, contrasting with the white petals and yellow stamens in the flower center, really hits my “hot” button. :o) If I had to rate it, it would like be a “10”.
As we jeeped up Black Bear Pass on Day #1 of our wildflower tour, we opened up to a large meadow slope that was literally filled with Blue Columbine wildflowers, as well as a wonderful assortment of others. But the Blue Columbines are what captured my eye and attention! Here are a few of my favorite images I captured during that trip up Black Bear Pass, as well as a couple of images made the following day along Yankee Boy Basin.
A few Blue Columbine wildflowers growing along the slope:
A bud, ready to “pop”:
And some macro images:
One regret I have from my Black Bear visit, is that I didn’t take the time to make a landscape capture of the hundreds (maybe thousands) of Blue Columbine plants blooming! Hmmm, maybe a trip back next year? Hmmm, on second thought, maybe a photo workshop here? If interested, please e-mail me and let me know, and I’ll consider doing that. :o)
Photographic Equipment Used:
- Canon 5D Mark 3 body
- Canon EF28-135mm, f/3.5 macro lens
- Bogen 3221 tripod with Graff Studioball SB-QR ballhead
- ISO 200
- Aperture f/3.5 to f/18
- Shutter 1/25 sec. to 1/800 sec.