Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird on Scarlet Gilia

The first day of our hiking trip trip in the Colorado Rockies was spent exploring several areas, first around Maroon Lake and then up the Castle Creek Road. At the second location we found fields of wildflowers including these Scarlet Gilia and Richarson's Geraniums. I had seen them before in Washington but never in such abundance. The flowers were being visited by these Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and we were able to get some photos of the birds as well.

We are planning on hiking and backpacking in the Castle Creek area again this coming summer, two of my brothers and two grandsons, one of mine and one of a brother. Our plan is to hike in establish a base camp and then spend the rest of the time day hiking from the camp. My wife will be traveling to see her family at that time, though we have plans to do some hiking and backpacking together this summer as well, some with other family members.