All images are the property of Wild Ones and should not be downloaded or used without permission.
“Spring Beauties of Calvert County” by Mollie King
Image ID: 6832
Plant(s): Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica)
Photo Story: These little beauties are a lovely surprise in the Spring along woodland paths in southern Maryland.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Title: Spring Beauties of Calvert County
Photographer: Mollie King
Location: Calvert County, Maryland
Chapter: Chesapeake
“Mayapple’s Hidden Bloom” by Mollie King
Image ID: 6833
Plant(s): Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
Photo Story: Woodland walkers must bend low in the Spring to see the lovely blossoms of the Mayapple under its umbrella-like foliage.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS
Title: Mayapple’s Hidden Bloom
Photographer: Mollie King
Location: Calvert County, Maryland
Chapter: Chesapeake
“Tulip Poplar Perch of the Red-shouldered Hawk” by Mollie King
Image ID: 6834
Plant(s): Tulip Poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus)
Photo Story: The Red-shouldered Hawk depends on trees, where it not only builds its nest but also finds a high-perch from which it can hunt its prey.
Equipment: Canon Powershot SX60 HS
Title: Tulip Poplar Perch of the Red-shouldered Hawk
Photographer: Mollie King
Location: Calvert County, Maryland
Chapter: Chesapeake
“Trifecta” by John Bales
Image ID: 6835
Plant(s): Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii),
Monarch butterfly
Photo Story: We planted wildflowers under our solar array.
This Monarch butterfly decided to pose on the Ironweed and I took advantage of the opportunity.
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Trifecta
Photographer: John Bales
Location: St. Francois County, Mo
Chapter: Southeast Missouri
“Sustainably Beautiful” by John Bales
Image ID: 6837
Plant(s): Ironweed (Vernonia baldwinii),
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus),
Post oak
Photo Story: We planted native wildflowers under our solar array. This Monarch butterfly posed for me on the Ironweed and I took the opportunity to snap a few photos.
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Sustainably Beautiful
Photographer: John Bales
Location: St. Francois County, MO
Chapter: Southeast Missouri
“Monarch on Swamp milkweed” by John Bales
Image ID: 6838
Plant(s): Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata),
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Photo Story: Monarch landed on milkweed near pond.
Took photos with phone.
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Monarch on Swamp milkweed
Photographer: John Bales
Location: St. Francois County, MO
Chapter: Southeast Missouri
“Queen butterflies on Liatris ligulistylus” by Jonathan Sakanai
Image ID: 6839
Plant(s): Queen butterflies (Danaus gilippus)
Rocky Mountain Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis)
In background:
Showy milkweed (Asclepias speciosa)
Giant sacaton grass (Sporobolus wrightii)
Standing Cypress (Ipomopsis rubra)
Photo Story: I planted a number of Liatris ligulistylus plants in my garden last year hoping to attract more Monarchs. It did attract quite a few Monarchs, but it also has been great in attracting the other milkweed butterfly, Queens. This is the first year I’ve ever had them in my garden, and they have been hanging around every day for the past several weeks!
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S10 phone camera
Title: Queen butterflies on Liatris ligulistylus
Photographer: Jonathan Sakanai
Location: In my front yard native garden in Wheat Ridge, Colorado
Chapter: Front Range
“Purple Coneflower and Slender Mountain Mint” by Beate Popkin
Image ID: 6840
Plant(s): Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), Slender mountain mint (Pycnanthemum tenuifolium), Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), Grey-headed coneflower (Ratibida pinnata)
Photo Story: The plants in this photo grow in a large pollinator garden bed surrounded by a curb in the parking lot at Wellington Park in Lexington. The Lexington chapter of Wild Ones established this garden in 2014 and has maintained it ever since with a dedicated group of volunteer helpers, all of whom are Wild Ones members. This is a sunny bed with mostly perennials and a few shrubs and grasses. The garden is located at the entrance of Wellington Park and greets all visitors.
Equipment: Canon Rebel EOS T1i
Title: Purple Coneflower and Slender Mountain Mint
Photographer: Beate Popkin
Location: Wellington Park, Lexington, Kentucky
Chapter: Lexington
“Columbine seed head” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6844
Plant(s): Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis)
Photo Story: The delicate curves of this open Columbine seedhead caught my eye.
Equipment: Nikon d850 with 70-200
Title: Columbine seed head
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: In front of our house in Appleton
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Prairie Smoke” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6848
Plant(s): Prairie Smoke (Geum triflorum)
Photo Story: Three years ago we removed the grass from our small front yard and filled the area with native plants. Prairie Smoke with its early blooms and troll doll hairdo has become one of my favorite plants.
Equipment: Nikon D850 with a 16-35 lens
Title: Prairie Smoke
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: My front yard in Appleton, WI
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Viceroy” by Renee Benage
Image ID: 6854
Plant(s): Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) butterfly; uncertain of flower
Photo Story: Observed this monarch in the butterfly garden at the Missouri Department of Conservation Busch Wildlife Area in St. Charles County, Missouri.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot SX70 HS
Title: Viceroy
Photographer: Renee Benage
Location: Busch Wildlife Area
Chapter: St. Louis
“Monarch Launch” by Barb Paulini
Image ID: 6857
Plant(s): Pollinator : Monarch Butterfly ( flower-fly )
Photo Story: Humbled and curious by the attempt to ‘raise’ monarchs and release them into the garden.
Equipment: Fuji X100
Title: Monarch Launch
Photographer: Barb Paulini
Location: Fox Point Wisconsin
Chapter: Milwaukee-North
“Monarch on Asclepias tuberosa” by Cheryl Lloyd
Image ID: 6862
Plant(s): “Butterfly Weed” Asclepias tuberosa with Monarch butterfly.
Photo Story: After waiting 3 years, my pollinator garden has come into it’s own. The Butterfly Weed has been spectacular, attracting Spicebush, Monarch, Pearl Crescents and Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. Around the 1st of August I watched a female Monarch depositing eggs on it. Earlier this week I spotted 5 large Monarch cats happily munching away.
Equipment: Nikon D750 with 500mm lens
Title: Monarch on Asclepias tuberosa
Photographer: Cheryl Lloyd
Location: My pollinator garden.
Chapter: Habitat Gardening in Central New York
“What chu lookin at” by Kim Diaz
Image ID: 6861
Plant(s): Pollinator on golden rod. sorry, can’t tell you the specific type of golden rod or what exact type of pollinator but pretty sure it is a wasp of some type. and I’m pretty sure he was getting mad.
Photo Story: Our garden, the victory garden is in our front yard of our urban lot in Green Bay Wisconsin. we have one half of our garden for growing food and we have one half of the garden growing native plants for the pollinators. Every year the garden gets bigger and bigger and we have a delightful time watching all the pollinators and wildlife that visit the garden.
Equipment: The camera on my phone.
Title: What chu lookin at
Photographer: Kim Diaz
Location: my front yard
Chapter: Green Bay
“Double Delight” by Cheryl Lloyd
Image ID: 6863
Plant(s): “Common Milkweed” Asclepias syriaca with 2 Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterflies.
Photo Story: While out photographing, I was delighted that these 2 “Tigers” decided to share the same “Common Milkweed” cluster !
Equipment: Nikon D750 with 500mm lens.
Title: Double Delight
Photographer: Cheryl Lloyd
Location: Common Milkweed patch on our farm.
Chapter: Habitat Gardening in Central New York
“Compass Plant Sunset” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6864
Plant(s): Compass Plant (Silphium laciniatum)
Photo Story: Walking on the Apple Creek Trail at sunset, these compass plants looked lovely in silhouette.
Equipment: Nikon D750 with 24-120 mm lens
Title: Compass Plant Sunset
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: Apple Creek trail in Appleton
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Bumble Bee Balm” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6865
Plant(s): Red Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Photo Story: I love watching the bees visit our native plants and was particularly impressed with this very large bumble.
Equipment: Nikon D850 with 70-200 mm
Title: Bumble Bee Balm
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: My backyard
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Flight of the Bumblebee” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6866
Plant(s): Bumblebee, not sure which one
Photo Story: This chubby little bee was busy visiting the penstemon in our flower bed. I particularly liked this less typical view.
Equipment: Nikon D850 with 70-200 mm
Title: Flight of the Bumblebee
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: My yard
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Red-eyed vireo” by Thomas Eibergen
Image ID: 6867
Plant(s): Red-eyed vireo
Photo Story: Found a nest. Later I found a bird in the nest.
Equipment: Samsung camera phone
Title: Red-eyed vireo
Photographer: Thomas Eibergen
Location: Ortonville, MI
Chapter: Not a Member
“Meet Joe Pye” by Morgan Meador
Image ID: 6868
Plant(s): Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
Photo Story: I had the privilege of visiting a remnant prairie in Illinois, and I definitely didn’t take enough photos! It was the most diverse prairie I have visited so far!
Equipment: Canon Rebel
Title: Meet Joe Pye
Photographer: Morgan Meador
Location: Fayette County, Illinois
Chapter: Ozark
“Hello” by Kelle Frymire
Image ID: 6870
Plant(s): Honey bee on purple cone flower
Photo Story: I started taking pictures of insects this summer – I thought this one was so interesting!
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Hello
Photographer: Kelle Frymire
Location: My yard
Chapter: Illinois Prairie
“Macro Monarch wing” by Beth Nutter
Image ID: 6871
Plant(s): Monarch,
Photo Story: I have been raising Monarchs for 4 years now. I shot this with my iPhone 4. It’s my most favorite! You can really see the detail.
Equipment: iPhone 4
Title: Macro Monarch wing
Photographer: Beth Nutter
Location: In my yard in Elgin Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Moss on a log” by Beth Nutter
Image ID: 6873
Plant(s): Moss not sure which kind. Lots going on.
Photo Story: This is moss on a log! Maybe a two inch area . It’s like a whole village of wonderment! I could live here if I was a fairy .
Equipment: iPhone 4
Title: Moss on a log
Photographer: Beth Nutter
Location: Tyler creek
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Great-crested Flycatcher on “Pagoda Dogwood”” by Cheryl Lloyd
Image ID: 6876
Plant(s): Cornus alternifolia “Pagoda Dogwood” with Great-crested Flycatcher.
Photo Story: I observed several bird species dinning on my “Pagoda Dogwood” berries as they ripened over a 2 week period. Great-crested Flycatchers repeatedly visited, bringing along their newly fledged young to enjoy those tasty treats.
Equipment: D750 with 500mm lens.
Title: Great-crested Flycatcher on “Pagoda Dogwood”
Photographer: Cheryl Lloyd
Location: My yard.
Chapter: Habitat Gardening in Central New York
“Spiderwort Buds” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6877
Plant(s): Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)
Photo Story: Spiderwort brings joy with its early blooming and delicate buds.
Equipment: Nikon D850 with 70-200 mm lens
Title: Spiderwort Buds
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: My yard in Appleton, WI
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Pocket Prairie Yard” by Catherine McKenzie
Image ID: 6878
Plant(s): Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Photo Story: Three years ago we removed the grass from our small front yard and planted native plants fairly close together to form what we call our Pocket Prairie. It has been a hit with friends and neighbors and has had the added benefit of influencing others to plant more native plants. It is alive with bees, butterflies, and birds all summer.
Equipment: Nikon D850 with 16-35 mm lens
Title: Pocket Prairie Yard
Photographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: My yard in Appleton, WI
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Adirondack Chair By The Wetlands Meadow” by Maureen Ruben
Image ID: 6879
Plant(s): Joe pye weed
Goldenrod
Boneset
Cattail
Blue flag iris
….includes the top of an Adirondack chair
Photo Story: This land was purchased within the past 30 years and allowed to develop naturally. It continues to provide a beautiful wetland view from our home. It is home to wandering deer, a fox, frogs, turtles and monarch butterflies.
Equipment: IPhone 8
Title: Adirondack Chair By The Wetlands Meadow
Photographer: Maureen Ruben
Location: Holland Patent NY r
Chapter: Mohawk Valley
“Mountain Ball & Bee” by BRIAN RASMUSSEN
Image ID: 6880
Plant(s): Mountain Ball Cactus – Pediocactus simpsonii
Photo Story: The ball cactus is one of the first and brightest blooms of the season in the Montane Forests of the Front Range.
Equipment: Olympus TG-5
Title: Mountain Ball & Bee
Photographer: BRIAN RASMUSSEN
Location: Roosevelt National Forest, Boulder County, 8,500 feet in elevation
Chapter: Front Range
“American Ladyfriend” by Kim Stringer
Image ID: 6881
Plant(s): David Stringer – Homo sapiens
American Lady – Vanessa virginiensis
Photo Story: While we were out photographing butterflies, this American Lady was attracted to my husband.
Equipment: Camera: Canon 5D Mark III
Lens: Canon Macro 100mm 1:2.8
Title: American Ladyfriend
Photographer: Kim Stringer
Location: Torch Lake Township, Antrim County, MI
Chapter: Grand Traverse
“Widow Skimmer” by Frances Manos
Image ID: 6883
Plant(s): widow skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)
Photo Story: During a hike at Horlock Prairie, on July 3, 2019, in St. Charles, we saw many dragonflies, including this widow skimmer, who posed for just long enough for me to snap a photo. I have learned that dragonflies will pause on stems and stalks to survey an area for prey. I think this is a female.
Equipment: Canon Powershot SX60
Title: Widow Skimmer
Photographer: Frances Manos
Location: Horlock Prairie, St. Charles Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Virgin Prairie Remnant at Afton Forest Preserve” by Frances Manos
Image ID: 6887
Plant(s): virgin prairie with a variety of native grasses and flowers
Photo Story: I took this photo on August 22, 2020, during a walk at the Afton Forest Preserve. This was one of the first remnants of virgin prairie that I had ever seen, and I was blown away!
Equipment: Canon Powershot SX60
Title: Virgin Prairie Remnant at Afton Forest Preserve
Photographer: Frances Manos
Location: Afton Forest Preserve, near DeKalb, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Wasp on Rattle Snake Master” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6889
Plant(s): Great Black Wasp on Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium)
Photo Story: During a recent visit to the bird sanctuary, I spotted this large wasp feeding on the Rattlesnake master bloom. It was quite impressive.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with 70-300mm lens
Title: Wasp on Rattle Snake Master
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Kellogg Bird Sanctuary
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Monarch Butterfly on Obedient Plant” by Frances Manos
Image ID: 6890
Plant(s): Monarch butterfly on Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginia)
Photo Story: Native plants have been planted along the Fox River in Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles, Illinois. It’s been a great success, and has been attractive to butterflies and birds.
Equipment: Canon Powershot SX60
Title: Monarch Butterfly on Obedient Plant
Photographer: Frances Manos
Location: Mt. St. Mary Park, St. Charles IL
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Spider Wasp on Milkweed Bloom” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6891
Plant(s): Butterflyweed (Asclepias) with spider wasp
Photo Story: While taking photos of butterflyweed blooms in the garden, I spotted this little spider wasp feeding on its nectar.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 60mm lens
Title: Spider Wasp on Milkweed Bloom
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Milkweed Blooms” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6893
Plant(s): Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: Recently I was hanging out in the garden shooting butterflies and took this shot of our milkweed bloom.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 60mm lens
Title: Milkweed Blooms
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“The Hungry Caterpillar” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6894
Plant(s): Monarch caterpillar feeding on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: While shooting monarch butterflies in the garden this summer, I spotted this little on feeding.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 60mm lens
Title: The Hungry Caterpillar
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Milkweed Bug” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6895
Plant(s): Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) on Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: While shooting monarchs in the garden, I got this shot.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikkor 60mm lens
Title: Milkweed Bug
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Monarch on Honeysuckle” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6896
Plant(s): Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
Photo Story: Recently, I spend a good amount of time stalking monarchs in the garden trying to get a decent shot. This is one of them. I really like that I was able to get the fur on its back (you hardly ever see that!).
Equipment: Nikon D500 with 70-300mm lens
Title: Monarch on Honeysuckle
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Monarch on Milkweed” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6897
Plant(s): Monarch (Danaus plexippus) on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: This was another of the good shots I was able to get during my recent monarch expeditions (in the garden).
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikon 70 – 300mm lens
Title: Monarch on Milkweed
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Otsego, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Asylum Lake in Early Spring” by Daniel Cruikshanks
Image ID: 6898
Plant(s): Assorted oaks and maples along with wetlands grasses (dormant).
Photo Story: In March 2021 I took a hike to the lake in Asylum Park, so named because it was the former home site of a lunatic asylum, in Kalamazoo. The stormy skies created a nice effect over the lake.
Equipment: Nikon D500 with Nikon 70 – 300mm lens
Title: Asylum Lake in Early Spring
Photographer: Daniel Cruikshanks
Location: Asylum Park in Kalamazoo, MI
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
“Salt Marsh Egret” by Barbara DeGraves
Image ID: 6900
Plant(s): Slash Pine, Needlerush, Spartina & Egret bird
Photo Story: Beautiful view of one of the salt marshes at St. George Island State Park on the gulf coast of Florida. Slash pine forests with needlerush and spartina marshes make a picturesque habitat for an Egret to catch a meal.
Equipment: Canon 90D, 1/320 sec @ f/11, ISO 800, Canon Lens 18-135 mm
Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop
Title: Salt Marsh Egret
Photographer: Barbara DeGraves
Location: Saint George Island State Park, Florida
Chapter: SoKY
“Cranes visit Bonet’s Garden” by Bonnie Auxier
Image ID: 6901
Plant(s): Bonnie Auxier
Sand Hill Cranes visiting my backyard perennial/wild plant garden
Photo Story: Many animals come to our bird feeders near the nature preserve in our backyard. Each year the sand hill cranes come with their baby to eat the corn and seed we put out. They just happened to visit the garden this day and I thought it was so cute. So I took a photo of them.
Equipment: Nikon Digital Camera
Title: Cranes visit Bonet’s Garden
Photographer: Bonnie Auxier
Location: In my backyard
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
“Butterfly Whisperer” by Ryan Cutrell
Image ID: 6902
Plant(s): Butterfly
Photo Story: Ryan was on site at Shaw nature reserve during SIFT training. Shaw Institute field training a year long program that allows teens to learn more about ecology
Equipment: Cell phone
Title: Butterfly Whisperer
Photographer: Ryan Cutrell
Location: Shaw nature reserve
Chapter: St. Louis
“The Art of Healthy Wetlands” by James Cudney
Image ID: 6903
Plant(s): Northern Pitcher Plant, Sarracenia purpurea
Photo Story: Northern Pitcher Plants, a carnivorous wetland native, I spotted while eliminating Cattail on a floating bog near the Illinois and Wisconsin border
Equipment: iPhone 8 Plus
Title: The Art of Healthy Wetlands
Photographer: James Cudney
Location: Elizabeth Lake Nature Preserve, Richmond, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Sweat Bee on Spiderwort” by James Cudney
Image ID: 6904
Plant(s): Augochlora Sweat Bee, Augochlora pura on Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia ohiensis (Wild Columbine, Aquilegia canadensis in the background.)
Photo Story: An Augochlora Sweat Bee on Ohio Spiderwort taken in a native prairie restoration shortly after a rain fall.
Equipment: iPhone 8 Plus
Title: Sweat Bee on Spiderwort
Photographer: James Cudney
Location: Dundee Township Open Space Salamander Springs, West Dundee, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Monarch landing on Common Milkweed” by Jeanne Panka
Image ID: 6905
Plant(s): Monarch buterfly, Comon Milkweed – Asclepias syriaca
Photo Story: Took this photo one morning in my garden. The Butterfly went from plant to plant depositing eggs.
Equipment: I phone camera
Title: Monarch landing on Common Milkweed
Photographer: Jeanne Panka
Location: my garden, Waukesha , Wi
Chapter: Milwaukee-Southwest-Wehr
“Gentian Column” by James Cudney
Image ID: 6906
Plant(s): Bottle Gentian, Gentiana andrewsii
Photo Story: A column of Bottle Gentian, Gentiana andrewsii taken in a wet meadow environment
Equipment: iPhone 8 Plus
Title: Gentian Column
Photographer: James Cudney
Location: Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve, Wadsworth, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
“Early Summer Prairie” by James Cudney
Image ID: 6908
Plant(s): Flowering plants include Pale Purple Coneflower – Echinacea pallida, Wild Quinine – Parthenium integrifolium, White Wild Indigo – Baptisia alba macrophylla and Black-Eyed Susan – Rudbeckia hirta
Photo Story: A restored, healthy, early Summer prairie stretches into the distance at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda, Illinois
Equipment: iPhone 12 Pro
Title: Early Summer Prairie
Photographer: James Cudney
Location: Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
All images are the property of Wild Ones and should not be downloaded or used without permission.