Western Columbine (Aquilegia formosa) is in the buttercup family family (Ranunculaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 9,209 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in June.
Nationally it blooms mainly from April to July, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Western Columbine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Western Columbine
Aquilegia formosa, the crimson columbine, western columbine, or (ambiguously) "red columbine", is a common and attractive wildflower native to western North America, from Alaska to Baja California, and eastward to Montana and Wyoming.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Western Columbine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 5,487 | June | Apr–Jul |
| Oregon | 1,614 | May | May–Jul |
| Washington | 1,436 | June | May–Jul |
| Alaska | 291 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Nevada | 248 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Idaho | 100 | June | Jun–Jul |
| Utah | 28 | June | May–Jul |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (buttercup family)
Lesser Celandine
Red Columbine
Rue Anemone
Marsh Marigold
Wood Anemone
Blue Columbine
Tenpetal Anemone
Prairie Pasqueflower
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Western Columbine?
Nationally, June has the most observations, with the main season from April to July.
Where is Western Columbine most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Oregon, Washington.