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OUTDOORS  COLUMBINES,
BUTTERCUPS AND CLEMATIS: It’s easy to understand why the columbine is Colorado’s
state flower. With its sky-blue color, elegant bobbing stems and finely
scalloped leaves, the wild columbine is stunning to anyone who has hiked a
mountain trail and chanced upon a cluster. And while columbines can be found in
China and Europe, the Colorado columbine is as spectacular as any.
Above: Colorado blue columbine, the state flower.
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OUTDOORS  FOSSILS
AND LILIES--Stroll on the wide paths of Florissant Fossil Beds National
Monument and step back in time—far back. Florissant includes not only the
brief history of humans, but also the history of all creatures that galloped,
slithered, lumbered or flew on this earth before us. You’re on the graves of
millions of ancient mammals, fish, insects and reptiles. On any summer day,
fields of wildflowers and the gentle hiking trails lure nature lovers. Except
for the stump of an ancient sequoia, and a few fossils in the visitor center,
many unearthed specimens now lodge in universities or museums. But most reside
underfoot.
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GARDEN
 COVER
CROPS: WINTER PROTECTION--Cover crops are the last detail, the finishing touch to the end of an autumn
season. Nothing will protect a vegetable garden as well throughout a frosty
winter with strong winds. Turning over a cover crop in the spring adds humus and
nitrogen. It’s the easiest way to enrich your garden and the best insurance
that healthy soil awaits when you plant seeds. Most garden centers provide a
variety of cover crop seeds, which you can buy by the pound. Above: peas fix
nitrogen in the soil for next year's crops
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GARDEN
 TOWARD A
NEW GARDEN: WHEN VEGGIES MIX WITH FLOWERS--Vegetable beds traditionally come in rows for a practical
reason. This timeless design is intended to weed and harvest as efficiently as
possible. But as suburban plots shrink so do wide open spaces for vegetable
gardens. That’s when it makes sense to look at vegetables in a different
light—as ornamental plants as well as practical food producers. We plan
flowerbeds to buffer a sidewalk, surround a building or line a path. Those
places may be the sunniest or best drained. Why not locate vegetables where
they will be happy, even if it’s among the bearded iris or roses.
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ESCAPES
 RUGGED
BEAUTY: COMANCHE GRASSLANDS--After miles of flat grasslands, the Comanche National Grasslands suddenly
give way to the deep interior of a grand canyon--unexpected and breathtaking.
Comanche is a piñon-juniper forest with broad canyons carved by the numerous
drainages feeding the Purgatoire River. You'll often see a forest of cholla
cacti sprinkled among the junipers and piñon pines. Spring wildflowers carpet
the grasslands. And in the fall, sunflowers and feathery grass spikes
bend and sway. The
grasslands are a bird-watchers' paradise. Lark buntings clothed in black and
white feathers, like a tiny tuxedo, look unsuitably formal for grasslands. At
Comanche they perch atop the cholla cactus and dart within for protection. The
spiny limbs never appear to bother them.
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PHOTO SHOWS  WILDERNESS
GARDENS OF COLORADO--is one of four photo shows
for
clubs, societies, gatherings. "100 Years of Colorado Antiques and
Historic Homes" is perfect for those who want the personal stories
behind 1890's homes and interiors. "Secret Gardens of Colorado"
will amaze you with the remarkable retreats in our backyards.
"Colorado 12 Months of the Year" will challenge you to travel
our state and "Wilderness Gardens of Colorado" is filled with
special microclimates in our region.
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PHOTO PURCHASES
 GARDENS,
HOMES, WILDERNESS--If your company or organization would like to
purchase photos specializing in nature, gardens, historic and new homes,
interiors, antiques, travel and food, look through the gallery. All are book quality, digital and
Colorado-based. Nearly every season, every corner of Colorado is available.
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FREELANCE WRITING  COLORADO,
THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION AND SOUTHWEST --If your
publication specializes in the Rocky Mountain, Southwest or Colorado and covers off-the-beaten-track travel adventures, nature, spa destinations,
homes, gardens, events, trends, cooking, collecting and profiles of
interesting people, let us know.
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