Gaillardia on green

This photo was actually taken in a friend's garden (they grow many species of wildflowers), but yesterday, three of us saw many of these gorgeous wild Gaillardia on a full-day hike in Kananaskis. They tend to vary from plant to plant, which makes them even more interesting. This native plant grows June-August in prairie grasslands, roadsides and dry, open areas. It is a member of the Aster family.

Yes, I survived the full-day hike yesterday, though my body isn't moving quite like it should today, LOL. The scenery was spectacular and the wildflowers just wonderful. Two of us were taken to this trail by a friend who had been there a handful of times before. Both guys have had a lifetime of walking and hiking - and then there was me, LOL. However, we were stopping constantly to search for plants, record them and photograph them, so it was not a brisk-walking hike, thank goodness, otherwise I wouldn't have gone. Lost count of the number of times I glanced at the mountain sides to check that there were no Grizzly Bears in sight, though one had been along our trail at one point, turning over large rocks to see what was underneath. Thanks, David, for sharing this special place with us, and thanks for your patience with a slower walker : ) I SURVIVED!!