The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. | June 28, 2007
The bright red-orange and scarlet blooms of the scarlet paintbrush (Castilleja mineata, also called great red paintbrush, giant red paintbrush, and Indian paintbrush) are a common sight in the grasslands of Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument from about May through September.
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. | June 27, 2007
While the paleontology of Florissant has been studied extensively, the geology is less well-known. This summer and over the next few years, Dr. Charles Ver Straeten, a sedimentary geologist from the New York State Museum, will be studying the preservation of volcanic ash layers in the late Eocene Florissant Formation, which dates to about 34 Ma (million years ago).
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. | June 19, 2007
Palaeovespa florissantia, one of the most iconic Florissant fossils, was a paper wasp related to living yellowjackets and hornets. Palaeovespa was described in 1906 by University of Colorado professor T.D.A. Cockerell (learn more), a naturalist with wide-ranging interests. A stylized image of Palaeovespa decorates the sign at the entrance of the Visitor Center parking lot, and Palaeovespa is also part of the Friends logo.
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. | June 12, 2007
At this time of year you may hear the loud cheeping of baby mountain bluebirds (Sialia currucoides) from a nest near the administration building, or catch sight of the bright blue plumage of the male. This is a great time of the year to observe mountain bluebirds, as the adults are extremely active hunting insects to feed their constantly-hungry young. Keep your eyes open for that flash of blue around the Visitor Center and on the trails!
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. | June 8, 2007
Yesterday, with the assistance of Intermountain Regional museum curator Matt Wilson and Jennifer Fish Kashay, the lead exhibit designer, a team of staff, volunteers, and interns had an all-day exhibit assembly party. While the new exhibits aren’t complete yet, we made a lot of progress, and you’ll see more changes in the Visitor Center over the next few months.
The Friends of the Florissant Fossil Beds, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) Friends of the Park group supporting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument in its mission to protect and interpret the park's resources for future generations.
