“Going Crazy for Pollen Puffs” by Nicole Machuca

Plant(s): American Sand Wasp (Bembix americana), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: My work revolves around native plants and native pollinators. Since being in my position, this the first full summer I’ve had to really explore how big the world around me is in my urban setting. I grew up as a city kid, so that means I thought for the longest time there was one wasp species. Now that bubble has been burst and I’ve become obsessed with the under-appreciated pollinators, especially wasps, flies and moths. I hope to break that bubble for others and help them appreciate the complex ecosystems (including the beautiful wasps within them) that were here long before any of us.
Equipment: iPhone 12 with Xenvo Pro 15x zoom attachment
Photo ID: 33650

“Bold and Beautiful” by Merrie Richardson

Plant(s): I believe this is a a pale swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon) but I am not sure what species of shrub it is on.
Photo Story: I was so enamored with all of the big beautiful swallowtails I saw around my hometown in Oregon while on vacation in June. This pale one gave me a great photo opportunity as the sunlight streamed through the foliage, highlighting its brilliant wing colors.
Equipment: Nikon D3400 w/70-300 mm lens
Photo ID: 33655

“Hand Caught in the Pollen Jar” by Nicole Machuca

Plant(s): Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus), Tall Goldenrod (Solidago altissima)
Photo Story: My work revolves around native plants and native pollinators. Since being in my position, this the first full summer I’ve had to really explore how big the world around me is in my urban setting. I grew up as a city kid, so that means I thought for the longest time there was one wasp species. Now that bubble has been burst and I’ve become obsessed with the under-appreciated pollinators, especially wasps, flies and moths. I hope to break that bubble for others and help them appreciate the complex ecosystems (including the beautiful wasps within them) that were here long before any of us. The Great Black Wasp is one of the most obvious pollinating wasps I see. Not only do I find them so cute when I capture them looking at the camera, but this one in particular had an underside absolutely covered in pollen. It looks like it’s pointing at itself like, “Who me? I didn’t do it!” But the evidence is all over.
Equipment: iPhone 12 with Xenvo Pro 15x macro lens attachment.
Photo ID: 33656

“Orange Gem” by Merrie Richardson

Plant(s): Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on common milkweed bloom (Asclepias syriaca); not sure what the interloping plant species is with the pointed leaves!
Photo Story: At Barren River Lake State Park I was pleasantly surprised to find a substantial milkweed patch along one of the paved walking trails. Bees, wasps, and butterflies were in abundance, and I was thrilled to see a few monarchs! This one let me get close enough for some good photos.
Equipment: Nikon D3400 w/70-300 mm lens
Photo ID: 33658

“Snacking Skipper” by Sarah Bradfield

Plant(s): Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and a skipper. I believe this is a Peck’s Skipper (Polites peckius).
Photo Story: I love butteflies and have planted native species with them in mind. On this particular day it was sachems and skippers galore in the garden.
Equipment: Canon Rebel T5i
Photo ID: 33659

“Double the Fun” by Stacie Sontag

Plant(s): Marsh Milkweed / Asclepias incarnata, monarch caterpillars, and aphids
Photo Story: This was my first year planting milkweed, and my daughter and I were very excited to find caterpillars! They’ve been so fun to watch.
Equipment: iPhone 8
Photo ID: 33661

“Curve” by Jacquie LaCasse

Plant(s): Monarch caterpillar snacking on Common Milkweed.
Photo Story: Several years ago we had a single Common Milkweed growing on the edge of the gravel driveway. We had so much fun watching caterpillars on this one plant! In a short time (a few years) there were many (many) plants and we’ve expanded the assortment for pollinators in the form of native plant garden which takes up 1/3 of the front yard. Submitted picture taken July 2023.
Equipment: iPhone
Photo ID: 33663

“Eastern Tiger Swallowtail” by Sarah Bradfield

Plant(s): Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus).
Photo Story: I’m always glad when butterflies visit the garden and stay to nectar. I never get tired of watching them!
Equipment: Canon Rebel Ti5
Photo ID: 33669

“Bee Hyssop” by Daniel Higgins

Plant(s): Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum)
Photo Story: This is the first year I’ve grown anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) in my backyard. It didn’t take long for this native plant to get the bumble bees buzzing.
Equipment: Canon Rebel EOS T3, EFS 18-55 mm (macro 0.25 m) lens
Photo ID: 33688

“Coreopsis Drink” by Daniel Patterson

Plant(s): Tawny-edged skipper (Polites themistocles), Lanceleaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata)
Photo Story: A Tawny-edge skipper nectaring on one of the Lanceleaf Coreopsis flowers in my yard; the Coreopsis was planted this year and was a surprise that it bloomed at all this summer.
Equipment: Nikon D7100, Nikkor 18-200mm lens
Photo ID: 33692

“Scarlet Beauty” by Daniel Patterson

Plant(s): Scarlet-bodied Wasp Moth (Cosmosoma myrodora), Late Boneset (Eupatorium serotinum)
Photo Story: A female visits the flowers of Late Boneset in the Pokeberry Patch, a spot on our property that burned in the Spring of 2022 and filled up with all of the moth’s favorite plants (Late Boneset, Common Boneset, Dogfennel, Florida Key’s Hempvine)
Equipment: Nikon D7100, Nikkor 18-200mm
Photo ID: 33695

“Monarch on Butterfly Weed” by Mary Tworek-Tupper

Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly on Butterfly Weed
Photo Story: Working in my garden and was very happy to find a monarch!
Equipment: Iphone 14 Max
Photo ID: 33697

“Swallow Tail” by Daniel Higgins

Plant(s): Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Photo Story: Sweet Joe Pye Weed is one of the most visited plants by pollinators of all kinds including Swallowtails.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel T3, EFS 155 mm lens
Photo ID: 33698

“Whorled Milkweed with Monarch Caterpillar” by Jessica Ausnehmer

Plant(s): Whorled Milkweed with Monarch Caterpillar
Photo Story: Whorled Milkweed with Monarch Caterpillar in my front yard.
Equipment: Phone Samsung S22
Photo ID: 33700

“Monarch on Common Milkweed” by Mary Tworek-Tupper

Plant(s): Monarch on common milkweed
Photo Story: When I went to work in the Pollinator Garden planted by the Wheaton Garden Club, I was greeted by a monarch butterfly. .
Equipment: Iphone 14 Max
Photo ID: 33701

“Blazing Star” by Jessica Ausnehmer

Plant(s): Blazing Star
Photo Story: Blazing Star in my front garden.
Equipment: Phone Samsung S22
Photo ID: 33706