Colorado Columbine

Colorado's state flower is the Columbine, or Aquilegia saximontana.  It is typically found at higher elevations and can vary in color from white to various shades of purple.  I tend to associate the Columbine with camping, hiking and backpacking.  I used to think of it as a rare flower, but the more time I have spent in the backcountry, the more I find them.  

The photo below was taken in the Mt. Holy Cross wilderness. The high altitude and moist environment leads to large concentrations of Columbines in the valleys around Mt. Holy Cross.  

Columbine, Canon 60D, 15-85mm

Colorado Columbine by Luke Parr