Wildflowers on Willow Run Road ... and Snowhook

Before getting into wildflowers I feel I must say something about mosquitoes.  If Fairbanksans are obsessed about the temperature and weather forecasts in the winter, in the summer they are obsessed with mosquitoes -- and with good reason.  By the way, this is considered a bad year for mosquitoes according to the locals.  A walk requires a hooded sweatshirt even in 70 degree+ weather.  They bite through most clothing with ease -- a sweatshirt is some protection. 

Taking photos is a challenge as the minute you focus the camera hundreds (well, maybe not hundreds) cover your fingers and the back of your hands.  They also get in your eyes and nose. It is quite a contradiction as you try to capture the beauty of the landscape while simultaneously shouting expletives at the mosquitoes. 

Taken at sunset

Sunset is at 12:32 am (actually tomorrow) and sunrise at 3:08 am.  It will be civil twilight for the rest of the night.  We have not seen the moon or stars for a long time.  There is a big midnight-sun celebration in Fairbanks on June 21st -- after which we will begin losing daylight and Fairbanksans will again become obsessed by how many minutes are lost each day.

Tall Jacob's Ladder (Polemonium acuteflorum)

... the plant 

I couldn't resist including another moose encountered on Willow Run the other morning.  They appear and vanish almost like magic.

Dwarf Dogwood (Cornus canadensis)

A Willow Ptarmigan by the side of the road --

in the winter they are white

Alaska cotton (Eriophorum scheuchzeri)

Couldn't find a match for this in my Alaskan Wildflowers Commonly seen along the Highways and Byways (by Verna E. Pratt) but I thought they were attractive.

Bluebells (Mertensia paniculata)

Next to wild roses, bluebells are the most prevalent wildflower in our area.  They are all over, including around the cabin.

... close-up

Prickly roses (Rosa acicularis) are everywhere.  The petals of these wild roses are used to make jelly and tea and the fruit is also used for jellies, jams and tea.

... close-up

They are found throughout Alaska except on the North Slope and in Southeast.

A wildflower landscape in the mist.

Alaska Spiraea (Spiraea Beauverdiana)

These are also found everywhere.  Apparently the leaves may be brewed into tea, but not being 100% sure that I have correctly identified the plant, I don't think I would try it.

This may be Low-Bush Cranberry. (Well, I never claimed to be a botanist.)

Grove Sandwort (Moehringia lateriflora)

 Irises on the UAF campus.

It is hard to give the impression (at least with the limitations of my camera) of how these wildflowers dominate the landscape along the dirt roads around Fairbanks.  In town flowers are planted all over -- it is very festive.  If it weren't for the mosquitoes, this place would be paradise in the Summer.  The lilacs are just beginning to bloom.