American Basin, Colorado.

Colorado's alpine wildflower season is one of the most beautiful, but fleeting, parts of summer. For a brief window each year, entire meadows come alive with color as wildflowers reach their peak bloom. Timing is everything: arrive too early and many flowers haven't opened, arrive too late and the season is already beginning to fade.

This photograph captures Colorado's beautiful blue columbines at peak bloom in American Basin, one of the state's most celebrated wildflower destinations. A small glimpse of a season that never seems to last quite long enough.

Captured in American Basin, San Juan Mountains, Colorado.