On a hot summer morning we hiked on the Upper Peterson Creek Trails and enjoyed some time on the steep sideslopes of the canyon, stopping to note a few shrubs and perennials along the way.

Gaillardia aristata was in bloom on the driest open slopes.   In fall, there will be bristly (aristata) seeds dispersing onto the slopes.   Brown-eyed Susan can be seen in many gardens at this time of year too.

Down near the creek, a few cut-leaf anemone (A. multifida) had gone to seed and the woolly clusters will be dispersed by the wind.

Fleabane varieties (Aster sp.) will flower all summer, even in dry conditions.

Down at the creek were masses of buttercups (Ranunculus sp.) in flower.

There were a few poison hemlock (Cicutus sp.) growing in the creek gully, some in flower.   We steered clear of these.

On the hillside, mostly in gullies were a few choke cherry shrubs (Prunus virginiana) with green fruit.

Harebells (Campanula sp.) were spotted infrequently, looking out of place on the dry slopes.

We spotted an asparagus, showing small bell-shaped yellow flowers and green to red berries.

Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) had grown to full-height, and will soon turn a purplish color.

We also saw stoneseed, clematis, yarrow, saskatoons, elderberry, crested wheatgrass, butterflies, and other natural fatures of the upper parklands, always a fine summer hike.