“Giving Thanks” by Denise Gehring

Plant(s): Sugar maple (Acer saccharin)
Photo Story: After helping to make maple syrup this spring, 2 year old River spontaneously ran up to hug the sugar maple tree and then acted out drinking it’s sweet sap. Then said, “Love maple tree, grandma” on a Mother’s Day hike at Pete’s Woods.
Equipment: iPhone 11
Photo ID: 32433

“The Family Plant” by Rebecca Unger

Plant(s): Wild Geranium, Wild Ginger, Whorled Mountain Mint, Bee Balm, Rattlesnake Master, Royal Catchfly, Flowering Spurge, Columbine, Sweet Coneflower (Henry Eilers Rudbeckia), Staghorn Sumac
Photo Story: My family gathered in June 2023 from both coasts of the USA (including Sal, our gardening dog) to plant a native garden in place of a non thriving barely grassy parkway. The garden, designed by my horticulturist son, grows under an existing Crabapple tree on the south end and a freshly planted Sumac on the north end of the parkway. In addition to the Crabapple and the Sumac, the parkway has 17 types of native plants, most of which were resourced from the WestCook WildOnes native plant sale. The webinars, the conversations, and the gathering of plants that went into planning of this family garden will nurture me every time I step out of my house and every time I return home.
Equipment: For picture – Iphone was used
Photo ID: 32523

“Plant Sale” by Renee Benage

Plant(s): not applicable
Photo Story: This is a photo of our plant sale set-up crew – after set-up! This sale happens in the spring and is our big fundraiser for the year.
Equipment: Samsung phone
Photo ID: 32541

“Plant Sale Help” by Renee Benage

Plant(s): n/a
Photo Story: One of our Wild Ones members helping a shopper at our annual plant sale at Shaw Nature Reserve.
Equipment: samsung phone
Photo ID: 32557

“Eye of the woods” by Dan Holtmeyer

Plant(s): Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), stair-step moss (Hylocomium splendens) and various other epiphytic plants
Photo Story: The photographer’s husband takes a closer look at a bigleaf maple arching over the Hall of Mosses trail in Olympic National Park, creating the appearance of a large eye gazing at the viewer — perhaps a reminder to watch our step, literally and figuratively. Here, stair-step moss and other epiphytic plants create a thick layer of life upon every available surface, an ostentatious example of the interwoven ecosystems that cover every square inch of the world around us.
Equipment: Canon G9X
Photo ID: 32575

“Guy Denny Prairie Tour” by Ray Stewart

Plant(s): Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum
Photo Story: Ohio Natural Areas and Preserves Association President, Guy Denny, hosted a tour of his private Prairie and demonstration gardens for its members and the public. Nearly one hundred people attended and listened to tour guides discuss the plants, their importance and management. Guy tells a great story, with passion and the intimate familiarity of a life-long naturalist and leader in ecological preservation. Compass plant, a tall grass prairie community member, is shown just as it comes into bloom.
Equipment: Cannon EOS R5 with Sigma 18-300 lens.
Photo ID: 32615

“A Walk at Pheasant Branch Conservancy” by Jill Trochlell Ziehr

Plant(s): Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
Photo Story: Walking with my daughter in this beautiful area, we came across this lovely stretch of wildflowers. She has just become a native plant enthusiast and has started converting her own lawn to native plantings!
Equipment: Apple iPhone XR
Photo ID: 32618

“Chapter meeting” by Besa Schweitzer

Plant(s): Pussytoes, Groundsel
Photo Story: Another beautiful setting for a chapter meeting
Equipment: phone camera
Photo ID: 32633

“Collecting Prairie Seeds” by Tom Ziolkowski

Plant(s): Various native plants as we were in a large prairie collecting seeds for wisconsin DNR
Photo Story: Friends gathered to help Wisconsin DNR collect wildflower and native grass seeds. Much fun and very productive!!
Equipment: Nikkon 750
Photo ID: 32711

“Friends and Photos” by Tom Ziolkowski

Plant(s): Various plants in a large prairie
Photo Story: We gathered to view a secrete Wisconsin Oak Savanna that was found on the path less taken
Equipment: Nikkon 750
Photo ID: 32712

“Phil and Flowers” by Tom Ziolkowski

Plant(s): Black and Brown Eyed Susan’s
Photo Story: I stopped Phil, my friend, and told him to freeze…..terrific and lucky shot
Equipment: nikkon 750
Photo ID: 32713

“Prairie Friends” by Tom Ziolkowski

Plant(s): Various native plants in a large prairie
Photo Story: We had a fun day walking through a very special prairie with good friends and I was lucky to have taken the photo
Equipment: nikkon 750
Photo ID: 32714

“Strawberry Picking” by Donna Kaffenberger

Plant(s): Native strawberries (Fragaria virginiana)
Photo Story: Not only do native strawberries (Fragaria virginiana) make a great lawn replacement, the family enjoys snacking on the juicy fruits!
Equipment: iphone
Photo ID: 32752

“PeekaBoo” by Laura Stellmacher

Plant(s): Oak in background
Photo Story: Luminary walk
Equipment: iphone
Photo ID: 32897

“Enjoying Alpine Wildflowers” by David Silsbee

Plant(s): Paintbrush (Castilleja sp.) and others.
Photo Story: On a backpacking trip in southwestern Montana, bad weather prevented us from visiting the high peaks that we were aiming for, but the upside was many hours spent in colorful alpine meadows.
Equipment: Canon 5D Mark IV, 24-70 mm lens.
Photo ID: 32901

“Playful Grasses” by Courtney Denning

Plant(s): Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa)
Photo Story: Native grasses don’t get as much attention as native forbs with their bright, charismatic, and colorful flowers. The beauty of grasses is more subdued, quiet even. They don’t pop visually unless in a mass planting and thus require a closer look to appreciate their loveliness. I adore the texture and movement that grasses add to the landscape. I cannot resist running my fingers through grasses, especially when they’re almost ready to flower. I have many photos of my hands in grasses as I enjoy the tactile experience while also trying to get a closer look to identify the plant. I took this photo at the Saint Kateri Preserve for Natural Burial at Calvary Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio. It’s a beautiful land conservation site for those seeking natural or green burial.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 32958

“Return to the Earth” by Courtney Denning

Plant(s): Meadow with grasses like Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), Tufted Hair Grass (Deschampsia cespitosa) and Redtop (Agrostis gigantea), as well as forbs like Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa), and Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa).
Photo Story: Saint Kateri Preserve is a natural burial site in Calvary Cemetery, near where I live. I am interested in green burial for myself and found it soothing to visit and walk along the pathways in the preserve. Being part of this ecosystem after I’ve died is comforting to me. This small burial ground is full of life rather than a stark reminder of death.
Equipment: iPhone 13 Pro
Photo ID: 32979

“Natives in the Front Yard” by Amy and Ryan Cutrell

Plant(s): Maple Tree, Black-eyed susan, shinging Blue Star
Photo Story: Teen Cuts Honeysuckle, Replaces with Natives. In 7th Grade, Ryan Cutrell started cutting the honeysuckle behind his fence. He then replaced it with natives and planted a prairie rain garden in his backyard. Ryan is at DePauw University in his first year of college studying Environmental Biology. Joining the Wild Ones helped Ryan to “blossom.”
Equipment: canon6D
Photo ID: 32984

“Teen Goes Wild….Ones” by Amy and Ryan Cutrell

Plant(s): Background – Paw Paw and Black Walnut (formerly Honeysuckle). Foreground with Ryan (goldenrod, black-eyed susan, Cup Plant
Photo Story: Teen Cuts Honeysuckle, Replaces with Natives. Starting in the 7th Grade, Ryan Cutrell started cutting the honeysuckle behind his fence after watching the documentary Before the Flood. He then replaced it with natives and planted a prairie rain garden in his backyard to stop an erosion problem. You can see the Black Walnut and PawPaws in the background (in his subdivision’s common ground) with the prairie and Ryan in the foreground in his backyard. In the Environmental Fellows Program, Ryan is a freshman at DePauw University studying Environmental Biology. Joining the Wild Ones helped Ryan to “blossom.”
Equipment: canon6D Photo by Mike Heine (all Canon6D Photos are by Mike Heine)

Plus I meant to place the last photos of Ryan in camaraderie category. Sorry I’m a mess.
Photo ID: 32987

“Planting sunshine” by Catherine McKenzie

Plant(s): Pinnate prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), False sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)
Photo Story: A few years ago my friends sowed a couple of acres with native plant seed. They have been enjoying the prairie progression ever since. This year they loved the explosion of pinnate prairie coneflower!
Equipment: Nikon D850 16-35 mm f/4
Photo ID: 33084

“New hobby” by Catherine McKenzie

Plant(s): Pinnate prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Photo Story: A few years ago my friends sowed a couple of acres with native plant seed. They have been enjoying the prairie progression ever since. This year they loved the explosion of pinnate prairie coneflower! They commented on how many more insects and butterflies they are seeing.
Equipment: Nikon D850 16-35 mm f/4
Photo ID: 33086

“Acres of fun” by Catherine McKenzie

Plant(s): Pinnate prairie coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Photo Story: A few years ago my friends planted a couple of acres with native plant seed. They have been enjoying the prairie progression ever since. This year they loved the explosion of pinnate prairie coneflower and they are looking forward to more of the purple coneflowers that started to appear for the first time.
Equipment: Nikon D850 16-35 mm f/4
Photo ID: 33113

“Amaze for Days” by Cathy Stein

Plant(s): Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasciculata); Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Photo Story: Granddaughter picking flowers for her dad.
Equipment: iPhone 11
Photo ID: 33125

“Butterfly Walk at Chipman Preserve” by Quyen Edwards

Plant(s): butterfly weed, sassafras sapling, sumac
Photo Story: A group went on a hike through Chipman Preserve looking for butterflies in August 2023. We found 17 species that day including monarch, viceroy, red-spotted purple, American copper, grey hairstreak, and eastern tailed blue butterflies.
Equipment: Nikon D3300
Photo ID: 33316

“Make it fun!” by Lynn Kirkpatrick

Plant(s): Spotted Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium maculatum), Southern blue flag (Iris virginica), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Cutleaf coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata)
Photo Story: Four year old Sam loves walking among the wildflowers and jumping across the ditch-turned-creek in our backyard.
Equipment: Android camera
Photo ID: 33383

“Enjoying the Little Things” by Christine McCluskey

Plant(s): Southern Pink Moth (Inornate Pyrausta Moth) on Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).
Photo Story: I was fascinated to find this beautiful little moth on the blooming buttonbush this Summer, seeming just the right size for all the tiny flowers comprising the funky clusters decorating this unique shrub!
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX10 IV
Photo ID: 33387

“Patty Berry in Home Pollinator Garden” by Steve Berry

Plant(s): Wild Hydrangea, Butterfly Milkweed, Common Milkweed, Aromatic Aster, New England Aster, Rigid Goldenrod, Ox-Eye Sunflower, Coral Honeysuckle, Indigo Bush, Oakleaf Hydrangea
Photo Story: My wife Patty in the pollinator bed started in 2016.
Equipment: Samsung S20 FE
Photo ID: 33452

“Vicki Mcgovern Marlie harvesting tomatoes and herbs 0005 jpg” by Vicki Mcgovern

Plant(s): Oak trees, tiny tomatoes, cleome , peppermint and cone flowers gone to seed.
Photo Story: My daughter was enjoying the harvest of little tomatoes
Equipment: I phone 6
Photo ID: 33498

“Flower Arranging with Natives” by Antonette Needham

Plant(s): Purple Coneflower
Sea Oats
Sweet Joe Pyeweed
Rattlesnake Master
Ironweed
Photo Story: This month’s Wild Ones meeting included a session in learning how to create flower arrangements with native flowers. Two of our members are shown in this picture.
Equipment: iPhone12
Photo ID: 33518

“Coreopsis and Me” by Carolyn Crane

Plant(s): Coreopsis
Photo Story: Last fall I killed my lawn and planted a mix of native flower and grass. This is me finding my first coreopsis bloom in my new meadow.
Equipment: iPhone 8
Photo ID: 33540