How could we be so lucky? We didn’t know before we arrived that Waterton is the wildflower capital of Canada. To double our luck, the Waterton Wildflower Festival would start while we were there. Beth signed up for “Extraordinary Flowers in Easy Places” led by Valorie Webber.
Spearleaf stonecrop (Sedum lanceolatum)is a succulent of the western US and Canada.
Photography of the yellow mountain dryad (Dryas drummondii) was easier in this stage – before it turned downward and fully bloomed.
Sitka valerian (Valeriana sitchensis) is a medicinal plant with many uses, but the raw root can be poisonous.
The city, Saskatoon, was named after the Saskatoon berry bush (Amelanchier ainfolia). The berry-like fruits are similar to blueberries and were widely used by Canada’s native people.
The hookedspur violet (Viola adunca) is both hairy and bearded.
Valorie pointed out the dangling male flowers of the veiny meadow rue (Thalictrum venulosum).
Nearby she found the female veiny meadow rue (Thalictrum venulosum). While the leaves are the same on both plants, we could immediately see the difference between the male and female flowers.
Mountain lady’s slipper (Cypripedium montanum) is an orchid that grows at high elevations in the western US and Canada.
Valorie was thrilled to find another orchid, the striped coralroot (Corallorhiza striata).
We saw about 80 flowering plants that morning and with Valorie’s help, we all learned plants’ names and information about each.
Beth scribbled notes down on as many of the plants as she could. Most of the participants managed to photograph the flowers.
It was a very lucky, bed of flowers, kind of day.
June 2017
simpletravelourway 
Beautiful photos of wildflowers. Lucky you!
Peta
Thx. Yes, we accidentally arrived at just the right time. Some accidents are not bad.
I didn’t know it was the wildflower capital of Canada either! So glad you brought it to the rest of us. I love wildflowers, how delicate they appear & how tough they must be — magical combination.
You’re so right, delicate looking and tough, no cultivation by human beings required. Just let them have their space.
What a great new hobby to take along with you on your travels!
Yes, our walks take even longer now, stopping not only for birds but for “oh, there’s another wildflower I haven’t photographed yet.”
How pretty! What time of year is best to see the wildflowers?
Mid June is when the wildflower festival was held.
What fabulous luck! Boy, am I ever jealous.
Well, we assume they’ll have another wildflower festival same time next year. Check your calendar!