Welcome to Colorado Wildbuds
…and my brand-new website! I hope you like the new look and would be interested in your comments, and especially if you find errors and broken links. Contact Tom.
This is a collection of Colorado wildflower photos taken around the state with most from the Rocky Mountains. I hope that you find the photos enjoyable and useful.
The website is organized to show the species by color, name and places where they were taken. There are 616 identified species and varieties on the site as of December 30, 2024.
Click on the images below to see our library of Wildflowers by Color and listings of wildflowers by family and name. Check out our Recent photos, too.
My objective in building this site is to present an educational experience incorporating quality wildflower images with correct identifications and descriptions. They are here to reference, use and enjoy.
A lot of care has been taken in plant identification but there are likely some mistakes. Please contact me if you find errors. Enjoy the photos. And be sure to check out my Texas Wildbuds website, too!
Tom Lebsack
What’s New
The thistles have been updated with new information from research by Jennifer Ackerfield. She and others published the paper "Thistle be a mess: Untangling the taxonomy of Cirsium (Cardueae: Compositae) in North America” which straightens out the confusing situation with Rocky Mountain thistle descriptions and taxonomy. The paper is a welcome and much-needed contribution to the science!
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The website has been redesigned using new web development software called Blocs. We hope you enjoy our new look and would appreciate your comments.
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My image (above) of King's Crown and Father Dyer Peak in Summit County won an award, tying for second place in the Landscape category in the Colorado Native Plant Society 2023 Photo Contest. Click here to see my other entries.
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My images (above) of Dwarf Mountain Ragwort and Rosy Paintbrush won awards in the Colorado Native Plant Society 2021 Photo Contest. Click here to see my other entries.
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My images of Rosy Paintbrush (top) and Curlyhead Goldenweed won awards in the Colorado Native Plant Society 2020 Photo Contest. Click here to see my other entries.
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The photographs on this site are copyrighted, but can be used with prior permission and attribution. Please contact me to request permission or if you would like prints.
Website updated July 11, 2025
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
I try to provide accurate, up-to-date, and relevant information, but cannot guarantee the completeness or accuracy of any information presented on this website. I use authoritative references to insure high standards of accuracy and review and update the information frequently.