Valentine Weekend with Nature

No fancy dinner, no dressing up, just enjoyed the gift of priceless happiness from nature. That's how our valentine weekend went.

Here's some photos from our valentines date with nature.

Wild About Lupines

A Closer Look of the Alpine Lupines ( this shot is dedicated to kulasa and Tes,  fellow Salitype sisters, both lovers of wildflowers, and who I know will get wild on seeing this field of blue and purple lupines). 

Aside from fireweeds which I shared in my previous post, another abundant wildflower we saw in Alaska are lupines. My first sighting of wild lupines in Alaska is along Seward Highway.

My first lupine sighting in Alaska, along Seward Highway

My first lupine sighting was actually not really a lot, I had to really go down on my knees to make an impression of a field of lupines.

That's Me and that's where I shoot the first lupine picture above

The next time I saw lupines was when we were hiking to Harding Icefield. This time, it's not just small patches of lupines, but alpine slopes carpeted by lupines. Below is where we stopped for lunch during our hike.

Lupines and Exit Glacier, where we stopped for quick lunch ( or nutrition break)

My left-over subway sandwich never tasted sooooooo good and heavenly, what with the view of lupines among other wildflowers, mountains and Exit glacier in front of us, and the Resurrection River below. 

Lupines and the Resurrection River and Valley Below, from Harding Icefield Trail

As we went higher, the lupines seemed to be displaying wildly and profusely. The feeling was like climbing to the heavens with the lupines in the alpine slopes of Harding Icefield trail. 

Lupines, Snow, Exit Glacier and a Far Glimpse to Harding Icefield

for you, kulasa,More Blue Alpine Lupines, Can't Get Enough since I know you will delight in blue

A Lupine Paparazzi

Now, don't ask us how long did we take to reach Harding Icefield? Who would not stop and enjoy these field of wildflowers in the alpine anyway?

Wild About Wildflowers

And unlike my first lupine sighting, I no longer have to work as much to create an impression of a field of lupines, for the alpine trail to Harding Icefield is really a field of lupines. 

 for you Tes, wild blue/purple alpine lupines, wish to someday hike again with you

Lupines do not only spread profusely in the alpine slopes in Seward, they are pretty much abundant in lower elevation as well. 

Low Elevation Alpine, Seward Highway

 It seems lupines are very versatile, surviving the alpine conditions, and at the same time desert conditions. There are about 280 species of lupines, with major centers of diversity in South and western North America.   I have seen this beautiful wildflower bloom profusely near Southern California's coast, in inland hills and valleys, mountains and even in the hot and dry deserts. If you wonder how wild lupines in San Diego look like, they look very much alike to the alpine lupines,

Wild Blue/Purple Lupines in San Diego

Wild Blue/Purple Lupines in San Diego

though we also have a variety which is more pinkish/magenta.

Some Wild Pinkish Lupines in San Diego, sure do, the pink follows me :)

There are actually many colors of lupines, I saw some which is also white and yellowish in color, but oftentimes, I see them in our highways here where there is no opportunity to stop. I just learned recently, that without lupine, there will be no Karner blue butterflies for it is the lone host plant for the small Karner blue butterfly. 

Whales as seen from the trail

We had been seeing whales each time we take a hike along the bluffs lately. I can't help but sing to hubby, "why do whales, suddenly appear, every time we are here. Just Like me, whales long to be....close to you!" :)

Canola Flower

Field of Canola Flowers, Montana