Mountain Goldenbanner In The Wasatch Mountains – Yellow Wildflowers

Mountain Goldenbanner in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f14, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Spring isn’t just a time of year that excites me as a bird photographer because of spring migration, seeing birds I haven’t seen for months, watching mating and nesting behaviors and fledging chicks. I also get excited because of the abundance of wildflowers that I see and can photograph.

Three days ago there was some Mountain Goldenbanner blooming next to a creek in the canyons of the Wasatch Mountains and I simply had to take some photos of these bright yellow wildflowers.

Mountain Goldenbanner in bloom – Nikon D500, f14, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Mountain Goldenbanner (Thermopsis montana) is from the Pea Family (Fabaceae) and can be found in AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, and WY. Other names for Mountain Goldenbanner include Mountain Goldenpea, Mountain Thermopsis, False Lupine, Buckbean, Golden pea and Montane golden-banner.

Mountain Goldenbanner grows in montane and subalpine zones and is common in woodlands and meadows. This clump of Mountain Goldenbanner was growing close to an alpine creek where willows were abundant. The plants can grow up to two feet in height and bloom between May and August.

Mountain Goldenbanner close up – Nikon D500, f14, 1/640, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I saw these Mountain Goldenbanners begin to bloom while my Mom was visiting me when we were up in the canyons but forgot to stop to take photos of them so I made up for that three days ago.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my flower, shrub and tree photos

Mountain Goldenbanner seeds are available commercially and would certainly brighten up a garden if planted there but please note that the plant and seeds are noted as being poisonous to cattle which would make me very cautious about planting it if I had pets or small children.