Above 8,000 feet in Colorado, the montane life zone holds the classic mountain scenery of evergreen forests, stands of quaking aspens, and meadows of brilliant wildflowers. Ponderosa pines tower over south-facing slopes, while thick forests of Douglas firs blanket north-facing slopes. During the summer, Colorado’s state flower, the blue columbine, is abundant in many shady glens. Almost 2000 elk in the Pikes Peak herd range through the open meadows and forests at this elevation, along with pine squirrels, porcupines, mule deer, and black bears. Chickadees, flickers, blue Stellar’s jays, and many other birds add their calls to the mountain breezes.