The Meridian Skipper, Erynnis meridianus, is unrolling his proboscis in preparation for gathering nectar from the Dakota Vervain flowers he is on. … [Read more...] about Meridian Skipper On Dakota Vervain
purple flower
Bumble Bee on Eastern Purple Coneflower
The bumble bee in this picture is Bombus pennsylvanicus and it is collecting nectar from the bloom of Echinacea purpurea. Notice the pollen collected … [Read more...] about Bumble Bee on Eastern Purple Coneflower
McCallister’s Phlox, A Lavender Cousin of Drummond’s Phlox
Phlox as a genus has over 60 species. They produce beautifully colored 5 petaled tubular flowers and leaves covered with fuzzy hairs. Drummond's Phlox … [Read more...] about McCallister’s Phlox, A Lavender Cousin of Drummond’s Phlox
Fringeleaf Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)
This member of the Acanthaceae family is one I have seen only three times in ten years. Ancanthaceae is large diverse family that is world-wide in … [Read more...] about Fringeleaf Wild Petunia (Ruellia humilis)
Barrens Silky Aster, Large Flowers for an Aster
Most of the identification aids that I use, identify this flower as Aster pratense. This member of the Aster family has been renamed Symphotrichium … [Read more...] about Barrens Silky Aster, Large Flowers for an Aster