Some Prairie Enthusiasts came to the farm for a tour yesterday, to look at butterflies and prairies. It was great fun. We spent the morning looking at driveway and wetland butterflies, and the afternoon climbing up to some of the upper planted prairies and remnants.
Here we all are – except Mike, who was taking the pictures. From left to right: Barb, Harold, Jan, Burt, Emily, Jon, Marcie
This was taken in Buffalo Ridge Prairie -Burt, Jan, Barb, Harold, Jon, Marcie.
This was an Eyed Brown that we found on the driveway.
The planted prairies are just beginning their end of the summer blooming. The Black-eyed Susans, Oxeye and Butterflyweed come first; Monarda and Yellow Coneflower are just starting to bloom.
Black-eyed Susans in Western Prairie
Butterfly Weed behind the house
Western Prairie
Oxeye in Buffalo Ridge Prairie
Buffalo Ridge
Last week I spent a few days pulling Yellow and White Sweet Clover from Indian Grass Prairie. The sumac had just started blooming, and the flowers were buzzing with bees and fluttering with Hairstreaks.
Hairstreaks on Sumac
I saw three different species of Hairstreaks.
Banded Hairstreak on Sumac flowers
These two were also nectaring on the White Sweet Clover
Edwards’ Hairstreak
Coral Hairstreak
We saw an Iris blooming in the wetland for the first time! I’ve planted lots of Iris from seed I collected along the Buffalo River, but I’ve never found it growing here before.
Another nice wetland plant that’s been increasing in the last few years is Turks Cap Lily. I’ve found numerous small clumps in our wet planted prairies in the last few days.