I can't help you with identification but I saw the other picture your daughter took as well and wanted to say that she has a beautiful eye for pictures! I know many people multiple times her age that can't take half as nice a shot! If she likes photography, you should encourage her. She has talent. FataMorgana

Hi Ginger, Did your SIL mention if this is a wildflower which grows throughout his neighborhood/county? And if so, what state does he live in? Knowing this would help a lot in narrowing the choices. Trudi

Your Columbine is a lovely hybrid (or descendant of a hybrid.) It's not our native, Aquilegia canadensis, which is a nodding red and yellow flower. I've had hybrid and wild (native) Columbines in my gardens for years, and it's fun to see where new ones will pop up, and what new colors are produces every year. The native ones come true to color, and so far one of my Hybrids, 'Nora Barlow', a double form, reseeds true to color. Mine haven't become invasive, but the natives spread faster than the hybrids. You are lucky to have a purplish blue variety. After the flower is finished blooming, let the seed pods dry completely, then open them, or crush them between your fingertips, and scatter your seeds in an area where you'd welcome some new plants. It's fun! Julie

The second photo looks like Zinnias, but I don't think Zinnias reseed themselves in our climate - too cold. What is the diameter of the flower head? Julie