Monarchs on the Move
Monarch, Danaus plexippus On our walk yesterday I saw several Monarchs – must be the start of their fall migration. They seemed to time it with the blooming thistle. Soon … Continued
Rosemallow – Peak Bloom
Rose mallow, Hibiscus lasiocarpos Rose mallow is blooming along the pond edges now – better than usual this year. The plant is a native wetland hibiscus, Hibiscus lasiocarpos. Flowers can … Continued
Pink Water Lily
Pink Water Lily Water lilies are one of my favorite flowers. I spotted this one floating on Potter’s Lake at the PGT—couldn’t resist taking a close-up.
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hummingbird Clearwing, Hemaris thysbe At first glance, I thought this was a hummingbird feeding on the Pickerelweed blossoms. It turned out to be a moth—Hemaris thysbe, the Hummingbird Clearwing – … Continued
Purple Coneflowers in Peak Bloom at PGT
Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea The Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is one of the prairie’s most iconic wildflowers. While never abundant at the Prairie Garden Trust, this year we have more … Continued
Sweet Coneflowers in Bloom at PGT
Sweet Coneflower, Rudbeckia subtomentosa Sweet coneflowers are now blooming across the prairie at the Prairie Garden Trust. Every few weeks, a new yellow wildflower appears, and right now Rudbeckia subtomentosa … Continued
Resting on a Lotus Leaf
Bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus Bullfrogs are the soundtrack of summer nights with their deep, resonant calls. This one was resting quietly on a lotus leaf when I captured its portrait.
Rose Hibiscus: A Native Beauty at the PGT
Rose Hibiscus, Hibiscus lasiocarpos The Rose Hibiscus, also called Rose Mallow, is almost too beautiful to be native. Each summer it blooms along the edges of ponds at the Prairie … Continued
Butterflies at the Prairie Garden Trust
Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio glaucus Butterfly numbers seem lower this year, but yesterday we had a good look at a Tiger Swallowtail on Prairie Blazing Star – a reminder of the … Continued