Took a walk the Coal Creek trail on Sunday when the rain cleared out. If you are out looking for stunning wildflowers there are many hikes I’d recommend before this one. But if this is your local place for a walk, like it is mine, here are some cool surprises and a bit of Brassicaceae botany.
Blue flax, Adenolinum lewisii, Linaceae (Flax). There are huge clumps of this native flower by the 287 underpass. The flowers last only for a day. The buds open in the morning and petals fall off by the afternoon.
A blue heron was just hanging out in the creek. I do have a zoom, but this bird was pretty close to the trail.
Clasping pepperweed, Lepidium perfoliatum, Brassicaceae (mustard). There are a few weedy yellow mustard flowers growing along the path. These yellow flowers are too small to notice the typical 4-petals of a mustard. But, another characteristic of mustards is the seed pods come out in a radial pattern around the stalk. The round flat pods are more noticeable than the flowers. I love the clasping leaves.
Wintercress, Barbarea sp., orthoceras or vulgaris, Brassicaceae (Mustard). According to the CO plant database, there are two species, one native and one alien. The beak of the beak of mature silique (the long seed pods in this photo) are longer (3 mm vs. 1 mm) and pointier in the alien species, vulgaris. I am thinking this is B. Vulgaris.
Small-flowered Alyssum, Alyssum parviflorum aka Alyssum minus, Brassicaceae (Mustard). This photo doesn’t show 4 petaled flower but you can see the seed pods growing radially from the stalk.
field pepperweed, Lepidium campestre, Brassicaceae (mustard). Another weedy mustard. Look close at the flowers or notice seed pods. I recognize this one because of the candelabra-like growth pastern.
whitetop aka hoary cress, Cardaria draba (CO nox weed ID), aka. Lepidium draba, Brassicaceae (mustard). Whitetop grows in large patches.
whitetop aka hoary cress, Cardaria draba (CO nox weed ID), aka. Lepidium draba, Brassicaceae (mustard). Here is a closeup of the flowers.
Dame’s rocket Hesperis matronalis, Brassicaceae (Mustard). By far the prettiest mustard on the trail, but this is a Noxious weed.
Chokecherry, Padus virginiana, Rosaceae (Rose). There are a few shrubs along the trail with white flowers. Chokecherry seems to be blooming in the most places.
Hawthorn, Crataegus sp., Rosaceae (rose), coal creek trail. Another large shrub with 5-petaled white flowers. But this one has serrated leaves and large thorns.
Wayfaring Tree Viburnum lantana, Adoxaceae (Moschatel family). This tree appears mor shrub-like. It is an introduced species. The flowers haven’t opened but have 5 petals.
Scouring rush, Equisetum sp. Equisetaceae (Horsetail Family) coal creek 05202018
poison ivy (with fruit), Toxicodendron rydbergii, Anacardiaceae (Sumac).
Great horned owl by the pedestrian bridge to new development just west of 287. 
So is this a guy walking with a kangaroo?
No, it is a guy walking a donkey on the Aquarius trail. Not something you see everyday!
Boulder wildflowers 