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showy milkweed bloom

Showy Milkweed

Native Plants, Prairie, Summer, Willow Spring Open Space

Milkweed is a very familiar plant name due to its close association with Monarch Butterflies, but not everyone recognizes it when they see it! Showy or Common Milkweed is a tall plant with pale or deep pink flowers massed together at the top of the plant, large leaves and interesting seed pods later in the […]

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aspen grove in summer

Quaking Aspen trees

Fall, Mountain Forests, Native Plants, Roxborough Park

Quaking Aspen Trees are found in the mountains in groves. They are known for their display of gold leaves in the fall.

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gold aspen trees along snowy path

Aspen Trees – Spectacular Golden Leaves Plus 7 Extra Things to Notice

Fall, Mountain Forests, Native Plants

Here are more things to notice beyond the gold aspen leaves when leaf-peeping in the fall in Colorado.

Aspen Trees – Spectacular Golden Leaves Plus 7 Extra Things to Notice Read More »

3 prairie dogs on the alert

Willow Spring Open Space – September, 2021 – Signs of Fall, and checking in on the Prairie Dogs

Fall, Mammals, Native Plants, Willow Spring Open Space

During a pleasant early fall visit to the Willow Spring Open Space in mid-September 2021, plants were starting to show signs of fall, and the Prairie Dogs were active.

Willow Spring Open Space – September, 2021 – Signs of Fall, and checking in on the Prairie Dogs Read More »

wild licorice burrs and leaves

Wild Licorice Shrub

Fall, Native Plants, Riparian, Summer, Willow Spring Open Space

The Wild Licorice shrub is about 4 feet tall and grows in patches. It is most often found in late summer through winter when you are discover that you have many Velcro-like seed pods stuck to your clothing after walking along a path.

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close-up of cattails

Cattails

Native Plants, Riparian, Willow Spring Open Space, Year-round

Cattails are plants with long flat leaves that are found in marshy areas around ponds. In this area, there are two main types: Broadleaf cattail and Narrowleaf cattail.

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beaver swimming with a stick

Beavers at Willow Spring Open Space!

Mountain Forests, Riparian, Willow Spring Open Space

When greeting people in the open space, most aren’t very excited to talk about plants, and some are excited about birds, but nearly everyone is excited to talk about the larger mammals that can be found there.  These days, in the summer of 2021, the talk is all about beavers! A Bit about Beavers The

Beavers at Willow Spring Open Space! Read More »

black-crowned night heron on dam

Willow Spring Open Space – Late June Birds and Heavy Rains

Birds, Summer, Willow Spring Open Space

The Willow Spring Open Space in late June 2021 was a birder’s delight!

Willow Spring Open Space – Late June Birds and Heavy Rains Read More »

Yucca in bloom

Willow Spring Open Space June 2021 – Lush green grass and blooms!

Native Plants, Summer, Willow Spring Open Space

The Willow Spring Open Space in June had many kinds of flowering plants and lush grasses.

Willow Spring Open Space June 2021 – Lush green grass and blooms! Read More »

Blue mustard plant

Blue Mustard flowers

Denver, Mountain Forests, Prairie, Spring, Willow Spring Open Space

Blue Mustard plants are annual herbs that are among the earliest blooms in the Willow Spring Open Space. Their tiny flowers are purple and in the shape of a cross.

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willow creek

Thanks for visiting Naturalist Perspective! I’m Sharon, and I hope you find the information here makes going outside in Colorado more enjoyable. Read more ->

Naturalist Newsletter

  • Small town in valley between mountains
    The View at 9,000 feet – Fall 2024
    Fall at 9,000 feet elevation in the Colorado mountains is a beautiful time to see golden Aspen trees, a few remaining flowers and watch the birds.
  • icy creek with beaver dam across it on a gray day
    Signs of Life in Willow Spring Open Space – December, 2023
    Even in the cold winter, predator birds and mammals are out at Willow Spring Open Space.
  • 3 prairie dogs on the alert
    Willow Spring Open Space – September, 2021 – Signs of Fall, and checking in on the Prairie Dogs
    During a pleasant early fall visit to the Willow Spring Open Space in mid-September 2021, plants were starting to show signs of fall, and the Prairie Dogs were active.
  • black-crowned night heron on dam
    Willow Spring Open Space – Late June Birds and Heavy Rains
    The Willow Spring Open Space in late June 2021 was a birder's delight!
  • Yucca in bloom
    Willow Spring Open Space June 2021 – Lush green grass and blooms!
    The Willow Spring Open Space in June had many kinds of flowering plants and lush grasses.

Recent Posts

  • Roxborough Park
  • The View at 9,000 feet – Fall 2024
  • Signs of Life in Willow Spring Open Space – December, 2023
  • Yellow Blooms on the Colorado Plains
  • Wise and Wonderful Great Horned Owls
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