Why Bladderpod?

Thought I would take a few moments to discuss the name of the blog, i.e. Bladderpod.

We were walking about the Hot Springs Terraces. The yellow flowers were prolific enough that they were hard to miss. And it was clear they were “different” from the Yellow Monkeyflowers (a later post). There wasn’t a great clutter of grass or weeds. More like barren rock surfaces.

I asked our guide and she knew it but couldn’t remember it. So, when we happened to meet a park ranger coming up the trail, we asked him.

Without a moment’s hesitation he said “Double Bladderpods, the picture is in the field guide.” (He probably gets asked by every tour group, since the flowers are everywhere.)

I was struck by the thought, ”What would posess me to think of a Bladderpod?” I’d never heard the term before. And it’s a double bladderpod no less. On the other hand, I won’t forget the term now. A great name for a blog related to identifying wildflowers. If you hear it once, you’ll probably remember it.

Be glad to hear your comments on the blog name.

Prairie Smoke and Old Man's Whiskers

This flower was going to be my first Mystery Flower. Some email correspondence, however, has me convinced it is an immature “Prairie Smoke” plant. (Also referred to as “Old Man’s Whiskers.”)

This brings up a little housekeeping note. I’m tagging each post, as best I can, with:

• Color


• Location or state


• Month


• Genus (latin) or UNKNOWN


• species (latin) or UNSURE


• Guess at maturity


• Common Name(s)

The search box for the blog should allow you, the reader, the ability to look for a flower or find the posts that still need identities (i.e. UNKNOWN or UNSURE).

I’ve come to the conclusion that not all flowers look like the pictures in the reference book. So, the four categories I’ll use are: Immature, Blooming, Mature, and Gone2Seed. The picture of Prairie Smoke (in the reference) is more Mature & Gone2seed than the photo here, which doesn’t have the white plumes that give the plant it’s “Smoke” moniker.

We took a break from wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley. Wandering off from the parking lot to a small rise. I didn’t spot them at first. These flowers were seen on the return trip.

So, first suggestion to amateur photographers: “Look behind you on your hikes, there are sometimes little gems hidden by other plants.”

Blog Objectives and Introduction

My wife and I recently returned from a driving trip to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Arches, and Mesa Verde National Parks. I took a lot of photos, some good, some not as good. The advantage of digital photography is you can take plenty of shots and only save the ones you like.

During our tour of Yellowstone someone suggested I share some of my wildflower photos. Gladly, but, there’s a problem. I’m not a botanist or a naturalist and I don’t know what many of the flowers are.

So, I think this blog can accomplish three objectives:

1. Identify wildflowers, first my own, and then photos taken by others. Using reader’s comments to narrow down the possible flowers. (Your help is needed.)


2. Share my photos with fellow tour travellers who put up with me wandering off or slowing the hike down as I took photos.


3. Give other casual photographers some support by showing that not all flower photographs come out perfect.

My later posts will actually have flowers in them, but to start:


Keep in mind that not everyone sees flowers, some residents of national parks see ”FOOD.”

By the way, all these photos can be clicked on, to see other sizes. I’ve stored them as part of a Flickr photostream.