
This delicate wild Western Red Columbine spotted near Abiquiu has two names linked to its appearance. One is Columbine, from the Latin ‘columba’ meaning dove, because the upside down blossom is thought to resemble a circle of doves around a fountain. The genus name, Aquilegia elegantula, comes from the Latin ‘aquila’ which means ‘eagle’ and refers to the spurred petals that some believe resemble an eagle’s talons. Photo by Jenny Gallegos