Alpine fireweed and lupine carpet the rocky slopes near Lamplugh Glacier in Glacier Bay National Park, their vibrant colors standing out against the stark, gray stones left behind by retreating ice. Alpine fireweed is a hardy wildflower adapted to harsh, high-elevation environments, often among the first plants to colonize newly exposed glacial soils, helping to stabilize the ground and create conditions for other species to grow. Lupines, as nitrogen-fixing legumes, enrich the soil, further supporting the slow establishment of a more diverse plant community. Together, these resilient wildflowers not only provide bursts of color in an otherwise rugged landscape but also play a critical role in the early stages of ecological succession, gradually transforming barren glacial terrain into thriving alpine meadows. Photographer: Sean Neilson