Buckeye Butterfly
Late summer asters are the best place to find butterflies right now. The flowers are scattered all along the paths in the prairie. This afternoon I found this Common Buckeye … Continued
Swallowtail on Sunflower
Rosinweed, Silphium integrifolium As summer progresses I find it increasingly difficult to identify the confusing mix of sunflowers. Books such as “Ozark Wildflowers” by Don Kurz really help. The flower here … Continued
Monarchs Mating
Monarch, Danaus plexippus This is what butterfly sex looks like! I found this couple of Monarch butterflies joined together today in the middle of the prairie. At first I saw them … Continued
Milkweeds for Monarchs
Monarch Butterfly, Danaus plexippus, Chip Taylor at Monarch Watch promotes planting Milkweeds as a way to help save the Monarchs. This afternoon I had a chance to observe first hand … Continued
Hummingbird Clearwing
Hummingbird Clearwing, Hemaris thysbe This morning I found another moth that could be mistaken for a hummingbird. It’s name is very helpful since not only does it look like a hummingbird … Continued
Twelve-spotted Skimmer
Twelve-spotted Skimmer, Libellula pulchella I stumbled upon Noppadol Paothong this morning at the PGT. He was taking butterfly pictures for the Missouri Department of Conservation. As we were talking he pointed … Continued
Buttonbush for Butterflies
Now that the milkweeds are going to seed you have to look elsewhere to find butterflies. The golfball shaped flowers of Buttonbush is one of the best. This shrub is … Continued
White-lined Sphinx
White-lined Sphinx, Hyles lineata I rarely photograph moths at the Prairie Garden Trust because they tend to fly at night. Sometimes I’m lucky and catch one during daylight like this White-lined … Continued
PGT Butterfly Walk – Saturday August 2nd – Please attend!
The purple spike flowers of Prairie Blazing Star are reaching peak bloom. That will help attract butterflies for the Butterfly Walk that will be held next week. The walk is … Continued
We still have Quail!
On a walk this morning I heard the loud clear whistle of Northern Bobwhite. It is one of my favorite summer sounds. The new Sibley Guide to Birds describes them … Continued