While jeeping along Black Bear Pass, we came upon Dusky Penstemon wildflowers (Penstemon whippleanus), which grows in the subalpine and alpine areas of the San Juan mountains. Sometimes called the Whipple Penstemon, or Dark Beardtongue, they typically grow in open exposed sites, rocky areas, roadsides and tundra.
The flowers were a deep maroon color, approximating a chocolaty color. Growing only to about 18″ tall, it was easy to drive past them, if you aren’t paying attention!
Photographic Equipment Used:
- Canon 5D Mark 3 body
- Canon EF180mm, f/3.5 macro lens
- Bogen 3221 tripod with Graff Studioball SB-QR ballhead
- ISO 800 (due to wind)
- Aperture f/3.5
- Shutter 1/800 sec.