Summer’s clock is ticking. On our hike this weekend we saw that Mt. Alyeska had a beautiful carpet of Fireweed. Though beautiful, Alaskans know that the Fireweed is Summer’s clock and signals our lightening fast Summer is coming to an end. When the delicate petals of the pink flowers reach the top of the stalk and the flower goes to seed, winter is just two months away! When the Fireweed goes to seed, it forms a thin cotton like fiber that blows away with the Fall winds. I have been inspired to create metal sculptures of wildflowers as the Fireweed changes with our seasons.
Native Alaskans have used the fireweed root for topical medicine and the blossoms as a dye. Many people use the Fireweed shoots in salads and to make yummy Fireweed honey. I like to capture images of flowers to use as reference during our cold, dark winter months. During the snowy winter at -20 below zero, it’s easy to forget how Alaska’s flowers look in their summer glory. The famous Bake
Shop in Alyeska for years have hosted a Begonia and Dahlia show for locals and
visitors. After our hike, I took a couple of pictures of the flowers before they are claimed by the wind and rain and eventually frost. We even noticed the top of Raven Glacier had a light dusting of snow… Our clock is ticking, and the Fireweed is a signal for all Alaskans
to get out and enjoy the last bits of summer. For me it's a reminder to get busy creating while the Shop and steel are still warm!
