Winter Wildflowers

Many wildflowers keep some beauty in winter.  Above is Monarda Fistulosa (Wild Bergamot).  The  Silphium laciniatum (Compass Plant) flower to the right is nearly gone, but still has some semblance of her former bloom.  And the Parthenium Integrifolium (Wild Quinine) below displays an interesting texture when dried.  She is on the state endangered species list.  Many of these have been picked over to some extent by birds wintering nearby.

Enjoy!

~ Robin 

Working Breakfast

I joined several walkers, fellow explorers, and breakfast eaters at the park this morning.  
The Red Admiral Butterfly above was enjoying the last of the Wild Bergamot.  

An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail found a nice patch of Prairie Blazing Star to sip among.  

And the Soldier Beetles were out in full force offering their pest control services to search, destroy, and devour bugs bad for plants.  They found plenty of chow among the variety of summer flowers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Bergeoning Bergamot

The Wild Bergamot are opening.  Some plants have so many names - this one included.  It is sometimes called Mint-leaf Bea Balm, or Bee Balm or Horsemint.  Watch this one, it is a favorite of the clear-wing moths.  

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Clearwings and Tigers

A small handful of Hummingbird Clearwing can be found flitting around the Wild Bergamot with a number of bees.  Some people call this flower Bee Balm.  

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail are also out now as well.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

More More Summer

Spotted Touch Me Not

Wasp on Swamp Milkweed

As promised.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Monarch on Swamp Milkweed

Mourning Cloak on Common Milkweed

Dragonfly

Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Iridescent Beetle - Chrysochus auratus

Bee Balm, Patriotic Tea

This bursting 'fireworks' bloom is Wild Bergamot, also known as Bee Balm.  Many Native Americans have long used  this and other varieties of this plant for food and medicine, often as a tea.  They introduced this plant to the Shakers and during the time after the Boston Tea Party, many colonists used this as a substitute for English tea.

Enjoy!

~ Robin