Forget-me-not ~ Myosotis scorpioides
Wooly Groundsel ~ Packera cana
Harebell, Bluebell Bellflower, Bluebell-of-Scotland ~ Campanula rotundifolia
Prairie Smoke seed head
July 16, 2011
Wildflowers of summer (5)
Flying flowers ~ Western Checkerspots ~ Euphydryas chalcedona
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Montana Outdoors 
Oh, are those “flying flowers’ a lovely accompaniment to the other wild flowers. I have a soft spot for bluebells, but the prairie smoke is fascinating. All are really lovely. When I can see their feathery iridescence it’s almost like entering a fairyland. Beautiful. and secretive.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — July 17, 2011 @ 6:20 am
It took me a few years to put the prairie smoke seed heads together with their flowers, they are so much different.
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:09 pm
This is the second time in a week I’ve come across a picture of prairie smoke (Geum triflorum), which doesn’t grow here in central Texas. Each time I see it I think I must be looking at some sort of Clematis, because Clematis drummondii, which is common here in Austin, looks so similar in its final stage of development. But as they say, not all that glitters is gold.
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Comment by Steve Schwartzman — July 17, 2011 @ 6:26 am
We have two types of clematis here, and they both have fruit that reminds me just a little of the prairie smoke and both were a little surprising.
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:12 pm
You’ve outdone even yourself with this series, Montucky!
The prairie smoke seed head becomes a whole universe (like “Horton Hears a Who”) seen this close up.
And the spider on the harebell – one of your best.
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Comment by Kim — July 17, 2011 @ 8:08 am
Thanks Kim! This series actually came from a fishing trip in the Thompson River area, actually the Little Thompson.
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:14 pm
(How could I forget to mention those gorgeous, spangly butterflies!)
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Comment by Kim — July 17, 2011 @ 8:09 am
Those butterflies were new ones to me. Very colorful, aren’t they!
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:15 pm
My grandson (going into 5th grade) is fascinated with your butterfly shot! Thanks!
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Comment by Cedar — July 17, 2011 @ 9:12 am
I’m glad he likes it, Cedar! That certainly makes the photo worthwhile!
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:16 pm
Those are some exotic flying flowers… what are they called? Look at those eyes!!! Amazing how many “wild”flowers are in our gardens. The harebells and forget-me-nots are in mine… quite possibly a different species, but still “wildly” beautiful! I always tell my oldest nephew he was born when the forget-me-nots bloom. Much earlier here though, May 7 to be exact. 🙂 Beautiful shots!!!
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Comment by kcjewel — July 17, 2011 @ 10:34 am
I don’t know why the forget-me-nots are so late here, but your flowers bloom much earlier than ours. Sandy has suggested that the butterflies are either Great Spangled or Aphrodite Fritillaries. I see the similarities but I’m not quite convinced yet; possibly a variation.
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:18 pm
Such beauty! These photos have such a unique texture of softness with a ‘jewel’ look. Wow!
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Comment by Barbara — July 17, 2011 @ 10:54 am
The light must have been right that day and the small valley through which the stream flows was just rich with vegetation which might have filtered the light too.
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:37 pm
i just looked up the flying flowers. Not one we have here. I like there carroty heads. They are either Great Spangled or Aphrodite Fritillaries.
I wish we had prairie smoke and harebells here.
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Comment by sandy — July 17, 2011 @ 11:14 am
I looked at photos of both of those butterflies but didn’t see an exact match. Possibly a variation, or maybe even a seasonal difference. You would love the Harebells: there is something about their color that makes them eye-catching at quite a distance among the greens. They are quite lovely little bells!
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:39 pm
Beautiful Forget-Me-Not photo, Dad! The flying flowers are gorgeous!! The eyes are incredible! I love you!
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Comment by Juls — July 17, 2011 @ 12:29 pm
Thanks Hon! Love you too!
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Comment by Montucky — July 17, 2011 @ 12:40 pm
You always get such beautiful details. I love forget-me-nots, and we actually saw a few on our vacation, but of course I didn’t have the macro lens on my camera at the time, and it was too far to walk back to the car and get it.
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Comment by thedailyclick — July 17, 2011 @ 3:06 pm
I usually have the right one with me, but it always seems to be in my pack, not on the camera. The macro is my favorite lens.
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 9:27 pm
Maybe euphydryas chalcedona?
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Comment by kcjewel — July 17, 2011 @ 5:49 pm
Wow, Jewel, you nailed that one! Thanks, and thanks for the link!
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 9:32 pm
Simply breathtaking
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Comment by Evangeline Art Photography — July 17, 2011 @ 6:39 pm
Thank you!
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 9:40 pm
Oh my – those flying flowers are so very pretty! Haven’t seen many of them around here – yet…
But I don’t think Summer has come upon us (despite what the calendar says!)
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Comment by Stacey Dawn — July 17, 2011 @ 7:00 pm
Summer finally hit here. It was 94 today. I prefer spring!
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 9:41 pm
Hi Montucky, I just love how you capture the texture of the surface of the flowers so well. Excellent pictures! Have a great day!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — July 17, 2011 @ 7:35 pm
Thanks Wildlifewatcher!
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
Oh what gorgeous images these are! I really like the Prairie Smoke seed head captures and those butterflies are sooooo lovely with such detail. I haven’t seen butterflies like these. Awesome.
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Comment by Anna — July 18, 2011 @ 8:00 am
This is the first time I’ve seen that species of butterfly too. They are bright colored, aren’t they!
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 10:00 pm
Are the forget-me-nots wild? They are a garden flower here, but naturalizes easily. Love the butterfles!
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Comment by kateri — July 18, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
Judging by where these forget-me-nots are growing, I’m sure they are wild. I have seen them in gardens too.
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Comment by Montucky — July 18, 2011 @ 10:02 pm
I so love the prairie smoke. Would love to see a huge prairie with that flower, waving in a breeze.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — July 19, 2011 @ 11:45 am
That would be a sight! I’ve seen patches of them and it’s very pretty to see.
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Comment by Montucky — July 20, 2011 @ 9:03 pm
The butterflies look so fuzzy close up. I’ve always called them things like flying flower too.
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Comment by Ratty — July 19, 2011 @ 6:46 pm
They do look fuzzy, like they have furry little jackets.
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Comment by Montucky — July 20, 2011 @ 9:04 pm
Awesome butterfly couple! Great detail. I also love the Prairie Smoke seed heads. I’ve never seen that species of butterfly either.
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Comment by Candace — July 19, 2011 @ 8:56 pm
Even though they are very common creatures, I know little about butterflies. I may have seen them but just didn’t look closely.
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Comment by Montucky — July 20, 2011 @ 9:05 pm
Another great selection.
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Comment by Malcolm R. Campbell — July 20, 2011 @ 7:45 am
Thanks Malcolm!
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Comment by Montucky — July 20, 2011 @ 9:06 pm
love the forget-me-nots, almost looks like there is frost on the first one! the butterflies are pretty too
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Comment by silken — July 20, 2011 @ 6:00 pm
Frost? Not yet, but for awhile today while hiking I thought it might snow. My fingers got numb while I was trying to secure the door of an old lookout cabin, and there were snow banks below. I guess with the temps you have been having, you didn’t want to see that though!
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Comment by Montucky — July 20, 2011 @ 9:09 pm
wonderful summer beauty
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Comment by Tammie — July 20, 2011 @ 11:27 pm
It’s surely a special time, but here, so short.
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Comment by Montucky — July 21, 2011 @ 7:43 pm
LoL! Look at the mugs on those orange faces, they’re so cuuute! Gotta love the flowers, esp. the clusters! So pretty! =)
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Comment by Tricia — July 21, 2011 @ 8:44 am
They are pretty cute for butterflies, aren’t they!
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Comment by Montucky — July 21, 2011 @ 7:45 pm
What a lovely presentation of very beautiful summer flowers. It was gain very exiting to check what we have here.
Myosotis scorpioides, very general in Finland.
Packera cana, not here.
Campanula rotundifolia, very general seen. In our garden have have it also..
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Comment by sartenada — July 22, 2011 @ 2:52 am
Matti, I appreciate you comments about which flowers you have there and which ones are not found there. I find that very interesting! Thank you!
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Comment by Montucky — July 22, 2011 @ 8:49 am
Once again… I’ve been remiss in dropping by… not sure where I left off but do recall seeing this post and wanting to make SURE I commented on it… LOVE the close-up of the Forget-Me-Not, the Prairie Smoke seed heads (so delicate and beautiful) and the Checkerspots (stunning macro detail)!
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Comment by Victoria — August 8, 2011 @ 11:17 am
Thanks Tory! This has been a wonderful year for wildflowers and they are still going strong at the higher elevations. Yesterday I saw some Arnica blooming next to some snow banks that haven’t completely melted.
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Comment by Montucky — August 8, 2011 @ 9:19 pm