Desert flowers were strutting their stuff...

in Cache Valley Wash in Arches National Park yesterday, and here are just a few examples (click to enlarge). First, there is the ubiquitous and diverse desert paintbrush (Castilleja chromosa):

In addition, the alkaloid-bearing woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus) appeared in parts of the gravelly creek bed, and if ingested by livestock can often be lethal:

But not to be outdone, the showy Utah penstemon (Penstemon utahensis) stood erect and was adorned with bright red flowers: