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Old Man of the Mountain

The largest flower of the Rocky Mountain alpine tundra, Tetraneuris grandiflora (also known as Hymenoxys grandiflora and Rydbergia grandiflora, common name: Old Man of the Mountain) defies the high winds that rake the high alpine landscape. The flowers all face east, probably because of the consistent westerly winds rather than solar tracking which a few alpine flowers will do. Navajo and Kiowa Peaks in the background, part of the Indian Peaks region of the Colorado Front Range

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Uploaded on June 23, 2012
Taken on June 21, 2012