There weren't very many roses blooming at the Columbus Park of Roses today, but I did manage to find this one.
We had a nice hike at Christmas rock State Nature Preserve today. On the way out there were several butterflies flying around. This one decided to pose for us.
Flowers have landing strips to help guide pollinators down to the pollen and nectar. On some flowers those stripes are less noticeable to humans, but are still very visible to the insects. On this flower the landing stripes are very noticable even to our eyes.
Behind OU-L there is a little flower garden near the end of the Bike path. There is also a picnic area. We found this growing in the garden. Maybe from a spitting contest? It seems happy.
Hibiscus plants seem to blooming everywhere. I don't remember seeing so many of them in previous years.
We visited the Moonville Rail Trail today and walked a portion of it. There are two tunnels on the trail. This is the less visited one.
There is still some water flowing in the Hocking Hills. I am thankful for the nice weather this weekend, but we could really use some rain.
We ended up being able to spend Friday and Saturday at the Zanesville Art Festival after all. The Writers club and several members sold quite a few books.
After a busy day in Columbus, I stopped by Pickerington ponds. There are (at least) 3 types of birds in this picture. The black bird on the tip of the branch is a Cormorant, a great egret sits on the middle branch and along the shore in the back there is a Great Blue Heron. I was wishing I had brought my bigger lens.
There was a large patch of these growing along the Grandma Gatewood section of the Buckeye trail. There were white ones as well. The online description calls them a fragrant flower...next time I will have to remember to stop and smell the rosepink.
Our native Liatris is planted with milkweeds in the borders near the parking lots at our newest Columbus Metro Park, Scioto Grove. We saw clouded sulphers, cabbage whites and one lone monarch visiting the flowers. Along the trails we were also visited by a Hackberry Emperor that kept landing on us and a Coma butterfly.
This guy wouldn't sit still, and kept facing me. It also didn't like to spread its wings. After a while It did, and You could see that it had been through quite a bit. I believe this is the first time I have seen this type of butterfly...definitely the first I have seen this year. Blacklick Woods Metro Park near the visitor center.
I have had this plant growing at the edge of my vegetable garden for a while. I could see where it had bloomed, but never saw the flower. I went out tonight to close up the chickens and finally saw it blooming. There were several moths flying around it. It blooms in the evening, which is why I had not noticed the flowers. Unfortunately it is not native and considered to be a pest/weed/herbicide resistant/do not let it go to seed type of plant. I guess I will be pulling it tomorrow.
This Mourning Dove gave me an unapproving look as I walked around Scioto Audubon Metro Park in light rain.
The Topiary Park in downtown Columbus attempts to recreate the painting of French artist Georges Seurat. It is a neat little park not too far from the Art Museum. This is the view that most accurately represents the painting.
I have taken many pictures of the Upper Falls, and after a while they all start to look the same (see typical falls picture in the comments below). I was looking for a different view point, and while it doesn't have the beauty of the usual falls pictures, I find the swirls of water as it tumbles down the top of the falls interesting in its own way.
I went out with the idea that the Black-eyed Susans were looking pretty good and I found these guys. I saw the larger Ambush Bug first and as I focused in on it I saw the spider. Pollinators might want to avoid that flower.
All sorts of things are eating my Milkweed, unfortunately Monarch caterpillars aren't one of them.
When grain elevators are the tallest thing around for miles you know you are in Central Illinois. View down the road to Cisco.
My first Buckeye butterfly of the season...funny I had to come to Illinois to find it. Lake Shelbyville, IL.
Mike's parents pomeranian chilling in the shadows.
On our hike at Allerton Tucker took a little rest in some cool grass off in the shade.
Often we forget how many creatures are out there pollinating our plants. I didn't have much time today with all of the driving so I went outside with my flashlight when we got home and found this guy working away. Luckily the light didn't seem to bug him.
Jewelweed likes to grow in damp areas along the edge of the woods. It tends to like the same habitat that Poison Ivy likes. It is supposedly a pretty good anti-itch and the crushed leaves can be used to treat Poison Ivy rashes. The orange variety (Impatiens capensis) is said to be better for this, but both can be used.
At Stages pond today we found this Yellow Garden Spider ( Argiope aurantia) feasting on a Cicada. I am guessing that meal will keep him for a while.
Mike and Jess found this fly hanging out on the car. He's pretty cool. Any idea what he is?
The Hackberry Emperor butterfly has a unique trait in that it likes to land on people and suck up sweat. This guy stuck around for quite a while on my hand during the Dragonfly program at Stages Pond today. He didn't even mind having my camera in his face.
