The flowers of the Goodnews River valley dazzle the eye on even the dreariest day. Sadly I don’t know the names of many of them, or even the family of some, but they present a photographer with a never ending range of subjects.This is a type of Eriophorum grass, commonly called Alaska cotton, near the base of Tsuktulik.

Purple asters flower in the fall in every state where I’ve lived. These grow on a north fork gravel bar.

Hillside tundra gives off a wonderful fragrance, and hosts many different berry types.

This is a type of composite, found on the tundra near the north fork. If any readers can identify it, please post below.

A wild geranium, or cranesbill, also growing in tundra by the north fork of the Goodnews River.

Fireweed, or river beauty, grows on almost every gravel bar in the valley.

Lingonberry blossoms form low in the tundra.

This lovely flower has the unlikely name of Jacob’s ladder. It grows abundantly in meadows throughout the valley.

Mike calls the bluff on which these lupines grow Silver Salmon.

You find irises in wet places in the tundra. This one grows right at the lodge.

I think this is starwort. It grows along the rivers all through the valley.

A bumblebee works some yarrow flowers. Likewise, yarrow grows in meadows all through the valley.

Frigid arnica grows above the treeline on Tsuktulik.

While you fish here it’s easy to get distracted by scenes like this.

Life is short- get outdoors!

John Kumiski
http://www.spottedtail.com/

All content in this blog, including writing and photos, copyright John Kumiski 2011. All rights are reserved.