Coneflower Prepping for Fall

Coneflowers are fading fast.  This one has de-colorized from pink to vermellion.   Others are deteriorating.  All make nice resting places for insects like Katydids and grasshoppers.  Soon the petals will fall and the brown spiky flower heads will be good food for migrating birds.

Enjoy!

~ Robin  

Brave Little One

My first wildflower find this year is a Rue Anemone.  This one is quite small and was hard to find.  Later they grow greener and larger and dot the forest hillside with their little pink flowers.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Eastern Purple Coneflower

A new coneflower is starting to show up at the park:  Eastern Purple Coneflower.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Milkweed Starting to Bloom

Common Milkweed along the creek path have started to flower.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Pretty Pink and Petite

Philadelphia Fleabane are airing their numerous slender pink petals. 

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Shrub Flowers

Various and colorful shrub blooms are opening. 

Enjoy!

~ Robin

Seeing Pink

Lately I have noticed patches of pink along highway 169 on my drive to work.  I don't recall seeing them before. These are Crown Vetch, and there are patches growing along the marsh road near Winnetka Avenue.  These pretty pink flowers - although pretty - are pushy invaders.  Even so, I can not help but have some appreciation for their pink beauty.

Enjoy!

~ Robin

  

Four O'Clock's in the Morning

What a fun thing to say, "I was out taking pictures of Four O' Clocks this morning."  No, I was not out at 4:00 a.m.   I was out taking pictures of the native flower: Wild Four O' Clock.  


An Iowa study found that this flower does indeed open between 3:30 and 4:00 in the afternoon.  Pollination usually happens at night.  I was out early enough to catch these before they closed for the day.  I was out early ... just not THAT early.  


Beautiful morning.  Enjoy!


~ Robin