Daily life in Colorado - Part 3

Research

One of my study species - Mertensia brevistyla.

M. brevistyla with a sand-based pollinator exclusion bag over it.

One small project I am working on is looking at how floral orientation affects pollination in M. fusiformis (pictured) and M. brevistyla.  There is quite a variation in floral orientation in these species, from upright to perpendicular to downward (seen below).

M. fusiformis with many stems.


Stigmas in M. fusiformis flowers extending above the stamens, also known as approach herkogamy.


M. brevistyla




Halictid bee visiting M. brevistyla

A project by a labmate involves excluding floral resources (using row covers) and seeing how that affects cavity-nesting bees.

Close-up on the row covers.

Friday the 13th + Full moon

Went out for a drive last Friday to check out the full moon.

Full Honey Moon

Random

Took this photo after work on Saturday.

Sunday hikes

Last Sunday, I went for a hike around Gothic with fellow Canadian students in the morning, and then by myself in the afternoon.

Gothic Mountain


Beaver dam in the mountains.


Another view of the Gothic Mountain








Taking pictures of Gothic Mountain


So impressive!


There is a small waterfall towards the right side of the image that we would like to check out in the near future.


Then I went for a hike in the afternoon through the aspen forest.


Saw these white Dwarf Larkspur flowers.


Albino Dwarf Larkspur (Delphinium nuttallianum)

Small-leaf pussytoes (Antennaria parvifolia)


Mount Crested Butte

While I was hiking back, a large group of deer was heading towards my way.  So I crouched down and observed them in peace.

They were spooked by someone cutting fallen trees on the trail, so they quickly headed in the opposite direction.