Longleaf Phlox in bloom, Wasatch Mountains, Morgan County, UtahLongleaf Phlox in bloom – Nikon D500, f10, 1/2500, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Earlier this month I found an area where Longleaf Phlox were blooming in the Wasatch Mountains and I just had to take a few photos of them. The pink blossoms surrounded by dark green foliage caught my eyes immediately.

Longleaf Phlox are low-growing, perennial wildflowers that come in shades of pink, white and sometimes, purple. I notice them blooming from mid May until about mid June in northern Utah depending on the elevation. Typically they have five petals to the flower. I mention “typically” because in this photo there is one individual flower that has six petals. I wonder if that is the Longleaf Phlox equivalent to the four leaf clover.

Longleaf Phlox can be found in western North America in both the U.S. and southwestern Canada. These phlox were blooming on a small hill above a riparian habitat.

Bumble bees, honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are frequent visitors to phlox blooms. On my last visit to where these Longleaf Phlox are blooming I noticed small bees and and one very dainty butterfly visiting the phlox but I was unable to get clear photos of them. I would love to photograph Black-chinned or Broad-tailed Hummingbirds nectaring from these dainty native wildflowers.

Even though birds are my primary subjects I pay attention to and take photos of almost everything I see when I am in the field. That includes wildflowers when they are in bloom. If the wildflowers are in an area where I like to sit and wait for birds to show up that is even better!

When Longleaf Phlox (Phlox longifolia) are not in bloom the plants themselves are inconspicuous and blend in to the grasses and other plants where they are found.

Life is good.

Mia

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