Showy Wildflowers of Casper and Muddy Mountains, Wyoming

About the Book

Showy Wildflowers is a picture book and guide to 48 wildflowers that readily attract attention because of their color, pattern, and symmetry. Before long, the beginner, armed with this book, can identify a number of wildflowers, even from a moving vehicle. Although this book covers a relatively small area in some detail near Casper in east-central Wyoming, it can be used with benefit in much of the Rocky Mountain West. This book provides 2 sets of wildflower tallies with composite checklists from informal surveys taken while on slow, observant hikes. In time, such tallies record what changes can be expected during the flowering season. These tallies and checklists may serve as models for experiencing wildflowers in other places. Showy Wildflowers also gives tips on photographing wildflowers. Experiencing the beauty of a wildflower is one gratifying sensation. Creating an appealing image of that experience is an extension of that sensation. And that sensation heightens when the image becomes artistic. I hope some of my images stimulate photographic creativity.

About the Author

ALAN M. CVANCARA, Ph.D., retired Professor Emeritus of Geology from the University of North Dakota, resides in Casper, Wyoming with his wife, Ella. Alan has written 18 books, two with his wife. Several follow a nature theme, but he’s written three novels as well. Artistic photography, largely of nature and heritage subjects, represents another passion. He also plays the mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and banjo, and writes songs. Ella says Alan, although plagued by chronic back pain that forced him into early retirement, continues to enlighten readers with his books. Photograph by Ella J. Cvancara © 2008.