Arctic tundra

The plants and lichens found on the tundra were very colorful at this time of year.  These mountains were once on the ocean floor as evidenced by the fossil corals and marine life easily found in the river drainages.  Strangely, many of the plants reminded me of a marine environment -- looking very much like they would be at home on coral reefs.  

I did not find a good reference to aid in identifying these plants so, for the most part, you will just have to enjoy the photos.

There was a lot of this yellow lichen on the rocks.

The red berries are "bear berries" and the bears really like them.

Dwarf fireweed

No idea what this is but it is one of the plants reminiscent of marine coral

Another of these plants growing in a more rocky environment -- hence it is more scraggly. 

White lichen on rocks

A lovely golden color

More red leaves

An arctic poppy

More poppies (although they also remind me of aquatic plants)

A bright patch of leaves

Moss

Again, a coral-like plant

More very dense white lichen 

This will be the last post on the Brooks Range trip.  Stay tuned for Fall in Fairbanks and then ... the Aleutian Islands if I survive the ferry (or if the ferry actually goes on its last scheduled trip).