Sunday, May 31, 2009
Mile Creek, Montana
Mile Creek is another one of my favorite nearby places to find flowers and a generally relaxing place with plenty of surrounding natural features. (My Google Earth virtual trail) It is only about 15 miles north of the RedRock RV Park (which is in Idaho) in southwest Montana. It is characterized by a trail head that starts out on a flat alluvial plain which several small creeks traverse (Little Mile creek and Mile creek) and a trail that takes you through a deep canyon up to Targhee Peak ridge in the Henry's Lake mountians. This canyon lies between Targhee Peak and Black Mountain. My little excursion today was just within the first 1/2 mile from the parking lot, along Mile Creek and a trek up Little Mile Creek to look for wildflowers.
Looking up Mile Creek trail. Flowers are on the flat plain in front. Black Mountain in background.
Looking up Mile Creek trail. Flowers are on the flat plain in front. Black Mountain in background.The wildflowers here are very similar to those I've found in the recent weeks at RedRock RV Park. The typical profusion of Glacier Lilies (though they are fading now), shooting stars, goosefoot violets, Arrowleaf Balsam Root, Ballhead Waterleaf, Vase Flower, Low Larkspur and even a few Oregon Grape plants can be found here. I was hoping to find additional species in bloom here and I did find a few.
The first stranger was a bushy little plant about a foot or more in height with little recessed yellow flowers growing from the axis of the upper leaves which contrive to hide the flowers. This plant is known as the Western Gromwell or Puccoon (refering to the Indian name for the purple dye that is in the roots) (Lithospermum ruderale). This plant has 5 lobed petals and long hairy leaves about 4" in length.
Closeup of the Western Gromwell or Puccoon
Another delightful newcomer to our list is the Hooked Violet (Viola adunca). This is a very small and delicate blue flower that grows in bunches low to the ground near the creeks. Note the typical bearded lower petal. This has a spur going back of the central lower petal containing nectar.
These were found along all the stream banks indicating they enjoy moisture. I had to watch where I walked to avoid crushing these little guys.
Another favorite of mine found here is the Low Larkspur. I took a couple photos of exceptional specimens for the detail of their "throats". The 5 sepals look like petals, but the petals are actual in the "throat". Look at the upper petal, all white with fine blue lines.
Another familiar flower here is the Few-flowered Shooting Star (Dodecatheon pulchellum). There are several variations here, including quite a few of the white versions of this beautiful and interesting shaped flower. Last year at this spot I photographed a hybrid between the normal pink variety and this white one to produce a peppermint variety. I looked around but didn't find it. Maybe a subsequent visit will be more successful.
I'm not the only one looking for beautiful flowers. The furry bumblebees are flying around collecting pollen (instead of photographs). This picture might be thought of as a Bumblebee's view of a Arrowleaf Balsamroot flower.
Bumblebee eye's view of Arrowleaf Balsam root flower and pollen.
The first stranger was a bushy little plant about a foot or more in height with little recessed yellow flowers growing from the axis of the upper leaves which contrive to hide the flowers. This plant is known as the Western Gromwell or Puccoon (refering to the Indian name for the purple dye that is in the roots) (Lithospermum ruderale). This plant has 5 lobed petals and long hairy leaves about 4" in length.
Closeup of the Western Gromwell or Puccoon
Another delightful newcomer to our list is the Hooked Violet (Viola adunca). This is a very small and delicate blue flower that grows in bunches low to the ground near the creeks. Note the typical bearded lower petal. This has a spur going back of the central lower petal containing nectar.
These were found along all the stream banks indicating they enjoy moisture. I had to watch where I walked to avoid crushing these little guys.
Another favorite of mine found here is the Low Larkspur. I took a couple photos of exceptional specimens for the detail of their "throats". The 5 sepals look like petals, but the petals are actual in the "throat". Look at the upper petal, all white with fine blue lines.
Another familiar flower here is the Few-flowered Shooting Star (Dodecatheon pulchellum). There are several variations here, including quite a few of the white versions of this beautiful and interesting shaped flower. Last year at this spot I photographed a hybrid between the normal pink variety and this white one to produce a peppermint variety. I looked around but didn't find it. Maybe a subsequent visit will be more successful.I'm not the only one looking for beautiful flowers. The furry bumblebees are flying around collecting pollen (instead of photographs). This picture might be thought of as a Bumblebee's view of a Arrowleaf Balsamroot flower.
Bumblebee eye's view of Arrowleaf Balsam root flower and pollen.Another visitor to the flowers (in addition to me and the Bumblebee) is this Western White Butterfly, resting from his flower search.
Western White Butterfly
Another not particularly beautiful flower, but certainly one to catch your attention is the Mountain Goldenrod (Solidago multiradiata) that I found here. I'm not exactly sure about this classification, please let me know in the comments if you know differently.
Mountain Goldenrod?
Realizing this blog has gone on for too long, I'll end with one of my favorite flowers. I've noticed this one trying to bloom around the RV Park, but I actually caught one in the act here at Mile Creek. The uniquely shaped Grandfathers Beard, old-man's whiskers, or Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum) Usually there are three bell-shaped flowers per stem (as shown here). This plant has an interesting end-life as well which gives rise to the "beard" or "whisker" designation in the common names (see here from last year.)
Grandfather's Beard, or Prairie Smoke at Mile Creek.
Western White Butterfly
Mountain Goldenrod?
Grandfather's Beard, or Prairie Smoke at Mile Creek.Please come to RedRock RV Park to see this profusion of wildflowers. The peak is still yet to come in mid-June or later. If you can't come to see us, go out into your own "wilderness" and look at your feet. You'll be surprised to see more than your toes!
# posted by RV Guy @ 7:39 AM 
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