2021 Photo Contest – Pollinators

"My favorite bug" by Kathleen M McGoff

Image ID: 6225
Plant(s): Monarch butterfly caterpillar(Danaus plexippus of Nymphalidae family).
Photo Story: Taken during Frederick Meijer Garden’s annual butterfly program.
Equipment: I-phone

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"Star Spangled Pose" by Roberta Kraeger

Image ID: 6226
Plant(s): Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) on Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: This Fritillary loves to frequent this flower and stayed still long enough for me to get this fabulous shot.
Equipment: iPhone 11

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"Morning Greeting" by troy waldschmidt

Image ID: 6234
Plant(s): Bombus on Echinacea purpurea
Photo Story: I have a small urban yard in the Peoria area and enjoy watching the wonderful things that the native plants draws into my view.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot ,pocket camera that I seem to always carry during my walks.

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"Tori's Garden" by Tori Jones

Image ID: 6252
Plant(s): Liatris spicata (Gayfeather), Tradescantia virginian (Spiderwort), Salvia azurea (Blue sage(
Photo Story: This spring, with the help of my three kids, we expanded our rock landscaping to further reduce the amount of grass in our front yard. We planted many native perennials and the kids have LOVED seeing all of the pollinators frequenting the area!
Equipment: IPhone

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"Taking a Sip" by Darcy Maile

Image ID: 6257
Plant(s): Wasp?
Photo Story: This wasp was hot and thirsty so I shared my drink with him.
Equipment: iPhone 12 Pro

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"Monarch on Milkweed" by David Baker

Image ID: 6267
Plant(s): This is a male Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on a Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) blossom.
Photo Story: I ended up being home alone on Father's Day morning. As I walked into the kitchen, I saw the Monarch through the window. This was my first Monarch sighting of the season. As of this writing, my only Monarch sighting of the season. So I see the Monarch and grab my camera and follow him around for a bit snapping a few pics. This is one of those pics.
Equipment: Canon Rebel SL2 with 75-300 mm zoom lens

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"Fragile feeding" by Linda Defendeifer

Image ID: 6269
Plant(s): Monarda fistulosa Syrphid fly - exact variety unknown
Photo Story: This was taken in a small ( ~ 0.6 acre) prairie on my property early in its restoration (second growing season) as I wandered among the plants.
Equipment: camera phone

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"Snowberry Clearwing Moth on Phlox" by Terri Joyce

Image ID: 6293
Plant(s): Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis ) on Phlox paniculata ‘Jeana’
Photo Story: When I first saw the movement on the phlox from my back porch I thought it was a bee visiting the bloom. When I realized it was a very small hummingbird moth I stepped down off the porch to get a closer picture.
Equipment: Canon Rebel EOS Rebel T7 with 300mm zoom lens

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"Partridge Pea, a magnet for Monarchs" by Denise Gehring

Image ID: 6254
Plant(s): Partridge pea (Chamaecrista fasiculata); Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Photo Story: Monarchs need nectar sources throughout the growing season in addition to milkweed as their larval host plants. Partridge pea is an easy colorful annual that can resend itself with interesting leaves and lots of nectar and pollen to support an array of pollinators.
Equipment: iPhone 11

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"Two’s a Party" by Collin Smith

Image ID: 6299
Plant(s): Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea), great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele), Unidentified butterfly
Photo Story: Strolling through the gardens on the Fourth of July and couldn’t help but be amazed by nature’s fireworks, purple coneflowers, bursting into bloom. We weren’t the only ones enjoying their splendor, as these butterflies stuck around for lunch.
Equipment: iPhone 8

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"BeeBalming" by Patty Petrous

Image ID: 6321
Plant(s): Backyard Bee Balm (Monarda)) with a visiting Bumble Bee (Bombas).
Photo Story: I am a new member to the Middle Tennessee Wild Ones Chapter and have enjoyed planting natives plants in my "subdivision" house in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Daily walks around the flower beds are always fun, especially when I see Bee Balm doing what it does best!
Equipment: This was taken with an iphone 12 camera (not the fancy, upgraded model, just the 12)!

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"Monarchs Mating on Swamp Milkweed" by Mike Humcke

Image ID: 6394
Plant(s): Monarchs on Swamp Milkweed
Photo Story: Taken at our butterfly and bee conservancy.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P900

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"Reflective Bumble" by Rita Hennessy

Image ID: 6422
Plant(s): Carpenter Bee on Wild Bergamot, Monarda
Photo Story: Photo taken late afternoon with sunlight reflecting off back dot, and wings reflecting color of Monarda
Equipment: iPhone 12 Pro

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"Snowberry Clearwing on Bee Balm" by Lisa Brunette

Image ID: 6425
Plant(s): A hummingbird moth, also known as snowberry clearwing, or Hemaris diffinis, on bee balm (Monarda punctata 'Fantasy').
Photo Story: The bees had been going crazy for this bee balm, but one day my husband and I were out in the garden when I noticed something that was just too large to be even a bumblebee flittering among the flowers. This hummingbird moth spent a good deal of time at the bee balm, even allowing me to get fairly close, so I could capture this image with a magnifying lens attached to my iPhone camera.
Equipment: A magnifying lens attached to my iPhone camera. I bought the lens to use when I photograph bees for the citizen science program Shutterbee, but now I see it has use outside of that!

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"Restore and They Will Come" by Steve Maassen

Image ID: 6427
Plant(s): Butterfly Weed Asclepias tuberosa Karner Blue Butterfly Lycaeides melissa samuelis
Photo Story: First Karner Blue Butterfly we have seen on our 30 acre shortgrass prairIe restoration planted 20 years ago for this endangered pollinator. A herald for a new growing population we hope. Taken July 17, 2021.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix S9700

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"Monarch on a Milkweed" by Jasmine Dorn

Image ID: 6434
Plant(s): Monarch butterfly, milkweed
Photo Story: Monarch larva clinging to a broken floral stem.
Equipment: Phone (Samsung 8)

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"Swallow Tail on Purple Cone Flower" by Linda Nett-Duesterhoeft

Image ID: 6499
Plant(s): Swallowtail butterfly from the family of Paplionidae.
Photo Story: I was lucky to come upon this lovely, at Mosquito Hill Nature Center in 2020 on a nature hike.
Equipment: I Phone X

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"Apple Blossom" by Danitza Hill

Image ID: 6504
Plant(s): apple blossom
Photo Story: I was able to capture a bees pollinating the apple blossoms in my backyard. So I decided to take pictures with the beautiful blue sky background.
Equipment: iPhone 11 Pro

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"Bicolored Sweat Bee on Kankakee Mallow" by Debra Bullock

Image ID: 6505
Plant(s): Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens) and Kankakee Mallow (Iliamna remota)
Photo Story: I love the beauty of these shiny bees which frequent many different types of flowers in our yard. This one looked very cozy tucked into a blossom of a Kankakee Mallow.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S20

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"Fanciful Beauty" by Arlene Kjar

Image ID: 6512
Plant(s): The butterfly, Hickory Hairstreak, Satyrium caryaevorum is on a rose leaf in the middle of my flower garden.
Photo Story: I noticed a tiny butterfly sitting on a leaf of a milkweed plant. I took a photo of it and was surprised at the detail in the wing. I found out that it was the only sighting of the Hickory Hairstreak that was reported in Rice County, MN. We are on the very northwestern range of which it lives. One interesting thing I found about it, is that the two dark spots on the back side of its wings are fake eyes, to fool predators so that they bite there instead of its body.
Equipment: Kodak EasyShare Z1015 IS

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"A tiger swallowtail flies high (and loves milkweed)" by Anubhav Saini

Image ID: 6514
Plant(s): Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: I was sitting in my backyard when I saw a butterfly fly high up over my neighbor's yard towards the street. I thought to myself, "Won't be able to take a picture of this one" and sighed because I missed an opportunity to report a sighting on iNaturalist. After quite a while, I went to get my mail. On my way back to the house, I was pleasantly surprised to see the butterfly happily feasting on "butterfly" milkweed. It even allowed me to up close to photograph and see some of the marks used for identification such as no spots on the body ("a tiger has no spots"). So glad to have native plants and trees that serve as larval hosts and nectar sources to support these wonderful beings
Equipment: Samsung S21 phone

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"Giant Swallowtail on Cone Flower" by Joseph Eichers

Image ID: 6536
Plant(s): Giant Swallowtail on Cone Flower
Photo Story: Hiking
Equipment: Canon 80D Sigma 150-600mm lens

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"Honey Bee on Yellow Flower" by Joseph Eichers

Image ID: 6537
Plant(s): Honey Bee on Yellow Flower
Photo Story: Walking through the neighborhood
Equipment: Canon 6D Sigma 105mm lens

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"Hoary Vervain and Bumblebee" by Ruth Oldenburg

Image ID: 6540
Plant(s): Hoary Vervain (Verbena stricta) with Bumblebee (Bombus sp.)
Photo Story: I have a 1/2 acre prairie on my property with a patch of Hoary Vervain that was buzzing with Bumblebees. I love to watch and photograph pollinators.
Equipment: iPhone 11 Pro

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"Monarch at Peabody Wildlife Management Area" by Barbara DeGraves

Image ID: 6558
Plant(s): Native Sunflowers with a Monarch Butterfly
Photo Story: Monarch Butterfly gathering nectar in a field of native sunflowers at Peabody Wildlife Management Area. As described in John Prine's song “Paradise” this area of western Kentucky was once a forsaken coal-mined wasteland. After decades of ongoing restoration work by the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources, this waterfowl refuge is now full of wildlife. Native grasses and flowers cover the high ridges of the reclaimed coal-mined land making it an especially good location for migrating Monarchs to stop over on their long journey south to Mexico.
Equipment: Canon 90D, 1/1250 sec @ f/10, ISO 800, Sigma Lens 100-400 mm Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop

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"Butterfly milkweed & Monarch caterpillar" by Bruce Dassel

Image ID: 6560
Plant(s): Butterfly milkweed (Asclepius tuberosa) and Monarch caterpillar (Danaus plexippus)
Photo Story: Walking through my yard/prairie and saw this
Equipment: iPhone 12 mini

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"Bergamot and Hummingbird hawk-moths" by Bruce Dassel

Image ID: 6563
Plant(s): Wild beebalm (Monarda fistula) and Hummingbird hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Photo Story: Working in my prairie and noticed this
Equipment: iPhone 12 mini

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"Brad-Sabre-falsesunflower-2021.jpg" by Brad Sabre

Image ID: 6570
Plant(s): False sunflower, heliopsis.
Photo Story: On a August morning hike in Powell Marsh, Vilas County, the false sunflowers were in full bloom. Plenty of pollinators
Equipment: iPhone 12pro

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"Monarch and Bees" by Richard Filzen

Image ID: 6578
Plant(s): Milkweed, Monarch Butterfly, Unknown bee species.
Photo Story: When entering the park there are multiple milkweed plants at the park headquarters building. Literally dozens of monarchs and bees were enjoying the flowers so I managed to get a photo of them sharing the bounty.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel

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"Spicebush Swallowtail Sipping Nectar" by Catherine McLaughlin

Image ID: 6580
Plant(s): Lantana
Photo Story: Captured this butterfly on lantana in one of my pots on the back patio
Equipment: iPhone

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"Hummingbird visits backyard cardinal flower" by Jeffrey Horvath

Image ID: 6653
Plant(s): Cardinal flower Hummingbird
Photo Story: We have a cardinal flower in part-sun / mostly-shade just off our deck. While sitting on the deck, I often hear the hummingbird's humming wings before I see it. I snapped a series of photos as it visited the flower - luckily I didn't scare it away.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy phone.

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"Lew Troast Jr. Bee & Bee Balm" by Lewell Troast

Image ID: 6655
Plant(s): Bee Balm and Bumblebee
Photo Story: Was taking photos in my native plant garden and came across this bumblebee on the bee balm.
Equipment: Cannon Rebel EOS T7i camera with Cannon 75-300 mm lens.

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"Lew Troast Jr. Grand Admiral Butterfly & Coneflower" by Lewell Troast

Image ID: 6656
Plant(s): Grand Admiral Butterfly and Purple Coneflower
Photo Story: Throughout the day I look for pollinators in my native plant garden that I planted last year after attended a Habitat Gardening of Central New York Native Plant Presentation.
Equipment: Cannon Rebel EOS T7i with a Cannon 75-300 mm Lens.

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"Bumble Bee Coming In" by Sherri Brom

Image ID: 6669
Plant(s): Bumble Bee coming in for a landing on on Wild Bergamot (Monarda Fistulosa)
Photo Story: Out walking with my camera and noticing all the pollinators on the wild bergamot - caught this bee flying in for a landing.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel SL1

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"Monarch on Butterfly Weed" by Sherri Brom

Image ID: 6670
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly on ButterFly Weed (Asclepias Tuberosa)
Photo Story: This butterfly was loving this particular butterfly weed. I shot him from all angles.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel SL1

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"Bumblebee on Purple Prairie Clover" by Janet Giesen

Image ID: 6673
Plant(s): Purple Prairie Clover (Dalea purpurea) Bumblebee (Bombus spp.)
Photo Story: It's taken a few years to establish a nice stand of Dalea purpurea, which has attracted a bumblebee.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S20 mobile phone

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"Swamp Rose and Flower Longhorn Beetle" by Kyla Muhammad

Image ID: 6677
Plant(s): Swamp rose and yellow-horned flower longhorn beetle.
Photo Story: I was admiring the blooms of the swamp rose when I saw this photogenic longhorn beetle laying across the middle, so I wanted to capture the collective beauty of both.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro phone camera.

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"Butterflies on Bergamot" by Kyla Muhammad

Image ID: 6678
Plant(s): Wild bergamot and Great Spangled Fritillary butterflies.
Photo Story: These two butterflies were perfectly posed in opposite directions on wild bergamot and I thought it was a really beautiful moment that I wanted to capture.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro phone camera.

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"A Rare Sighting" by Ruth Oldenburg

Image ID: 6685
Plant(s): Black and Gold Bumble Bee, Bombus auricomus on Beebalm, Monarda fistulosa
Photo Story: I was surprised to see such a large Bumble bee in my yard. I identified the bee with my SEEK app. It is a Black and Gold Bumble Bee, Bombus auricomus. I also discovered that this bee is rated SC for Special Concern in the MSU MIchigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). SC rating indicates declining or relict species in the state. While not protected by law, these species need protection to prevent them from becoming Threatened or Endangered. I reported the sighting to MNFI along with photos. They in turn, entered it into their database. I have a 1/2 prairie that I planted mostly from seed, starting in 2004. The Beebalm was in full bloom and this big guy was taking advantage of it.
Equipment: iPhone 11s

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"Monarch on Prairie Blazing Star" by Morgan Meador

Image ID: 6701
Plant(s): Adult Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya)
Photo Story: I was able to snap a quick shot of this monarch during a quick visit to this small prairie in the middle of town! I remember capturing this shot on my birthday, so I have very fond memories of this being a great birthday gift from the prairie!
Equipment: Canon Rebel

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"Swallowtail" by Renee Benage

Image ID: 6710
Plant(s): Prairie Blazing Star (Liatris pycnostachya) and Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
Photo Story: This photo was taken at the Shaw Nature Reserve along one of the prairie trails during July 2021.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot SX70 HS

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"Fritillary" by Renee Benage

Image ID: 6712
Plant(s): Great Spangled Fritillaries (Speyeria cybele) on wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Photo Story: This photo was taken in early July 2021 at Cuivre River State Park.
Equipment: Canon Power Shot SX70 HS

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"Waterleaf Mining Bee on Virginia Waterleaf" by Joan Brandwein

Image ID: 6711
Plant(s): Waterleaf Mining Bee on Virginia Waterleaf
Photo Story: I enjoy capturing photos of pollinators visiting the native plantings I have developed in my small urban yard. I often post my observations on INaturalist to track and learn more about my garden visitors. I captured this photo of a small bee visiting Virginia Waterleaf in my shady native planting area under a small tree in late May, posted it on INaturalist and there Heather Holm identified it as a Waterleaf Mining Bee. It is one of only 20 observations of this species on INaturalist.
Equipment: Sony a7riii, 90mm macro lens

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"Bumble bee (Bombus Auricomus) on a cone flower head" by Paul Wolters

Image ID: 6740
Plant(s): Bumble bee (Bombus Auricomus)
Photo Story: Walking around the Wild One Nature Center in Neenah and the Bumble bee was on top of the cone flower.
Equipment: Canon, EOS 60D with a 18 to 135 zoom lens.

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"Bumblebees and their corbicula" by CATHY JOHNSON

Image ID: 6742
Plant(s): Bumblebees (Bombus species unknown) Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
Photo Story: Bumblebees and other pollinators had been busy collecting pollen from the obedient plants in my yard in mid-August. These two were particularly laden with pollen in their sacs. It's fascinating to me how much they can carry relative to their weight and still fly around doing their very important work of pollination.
Equipment: Android phone (Pixel 3)

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"Speyeria on Tithonia" by Jennifer Moore

Image ID: 6743
Plant(s): I am pretty sure this is a Speyeria (at least as identified by the iNaturalists app). I understand it is commonly known as "greater fritillaries." It's feeding on a Tithonia a/k/a Mexican sunflower I purchased at Bending Birches this spring.
Photo Story: This critter accompanied me while I was watering my vegetable garden in July.
Equipment: iPhone XS

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"Pipevine Swallowtail on Cardenial Plant" by Diana Linsley

Image ID: 6748
Plant(s): Swallowtail butterfly on a Cardinal Plant (Lobrlia cardinalis)
Photo Story: I planted the cardinal flowers 2 years ago to attach hummingbirds, this year there were other vistiors
Equipment: Canon 7 D, marco 100 lens

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"Monarch on Liatris" by Robert Wright

Image ID: 6755
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly feeding on Liatris Ligulistylis Meadow Blazing Star
Photo Story: When I heard that Liatris Ligulistylis Meadow Blazing Star was a magnet for Monarchs Butterflies, I decided to plant several in my garden. I am certainly glad that I did because the Liatris is living up to its billing. Monarchs are constantly feeding on these plants and have brought me great joy.
Equipment: iPhone camera

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"Monarch on Meadow Blazing Star" by Robert Wright

Image ID: 6757
Plant(s): Liatris Ligulistylis Meadow Blazing Star
Photo Story: Monarch butterflies love Liatris and are constantly feeding on this beautiful native wildflower. Monarchs feed on several of the natives in my garden, but they spend more time on the Liatris. So that is where I patiently wait to get the best pictures.
Equipment: iPhone camer

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"Bee meets Penstemon" by Betty Struckhoff

Image ID: 6765
Plant(s): Beardtongue (Penstemon Digitalis) and Carpenter Bee (genus Eucera)
Photo Story: Participating in a local bee study (see Shutterbee on inaturalist) I was only getting pictures of the hind ends of bees on the Penstemon. I waited with my finger on the shutter and snapped as soon as I saw the bee start to move out!
Equipment: Canon PowerShot

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"Bee on Leadplant" by Mary Jo Adams

Image ID: 6774
Plant(s): Bumblebee on Leadplant
Photo Story: This remnant prairie is one of the only remaining original prairie spots in McLean County (Central Illinois) and has wonderful diversity of plants, including pollinators.
Equipment: Canon EOS M6 with 18-150 mm lens

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"Half Black Bumblebee on Purple Prairie Clover" by Ed Buchs

Image ID: 6778
Plant(s): Half Black Bumblebee - Bombus Vagans Purple Prairie Clover - Dalea purpurea
Photo Story: Bumble bee visiting flowers in my native gardens.
Equipment: Canon 80d. Tamron 18-400 lens

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"Pearl Crescent in the Birchwood Park shoreline habitat" by Cathy Streett

Image ID: 6780
Plant(s): Pearl Crescent, Phyciodes tharos (via iNaturalist)
Photo Story: I have been encouraging the Darien Park District to convert park lands to native habitat. This Park is near my home and we bike through it many times during the year. I complained about the shoreline area many times and they listened. I was so excited when the volunteer trees on the shoreline of the retention there was razed and native habitat seeded. This is year two for the habitat and it's included many sightings of native pollinators including this beautiful pearl crescent. I have shared my delight and photos with our Park District and the community via Facebook and our garden club's newsletter. This is only one of four park district properties that are converted into habitat. If you plant it they will come...
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S5 cell phone

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"Fritillary Butterfly enjoying a summer day" by Jean LeRoy

Image ID: 6793
Plant(s): Fritillary Butterfly enjoying a summer day On an echinacea purpurea.
Photo Story: Enjoying a warm summer day, I came across many butterflies in my woodland prairie. I was able to capture this photo of an unusual fritillary butterfly.
Equipment: I phone

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"Purple Prairie Clover with Pollinators at Home" by Ed Buchs

Image ID: 6794
Plant(s): Purple Prairie Clover - Dalea purpurea Cellophane Bee - Colletes Leaf Cutter Bee - Megachile
Photo Story: Watching my native garden in early July I spotted these two native bees pollinating Purple Prairie Clover.
Equipment: Canon 80d. Canon 100mm lens.

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"The Launch" by C Randolph Ross

Image ID: 6795
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea Purpurea), Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula) - according to the USDA range maps, both plants are native to New York State.
Photo Story: A Monarch caught in the take-off from feeding on one Echinacea (Coneflower), proceeding to the next.
Equipment: Fujifilm X-T20 with XC 50-230mm lens (at 230mm), 1/1000

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"Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird at the Eagle Nature Trail" by Dawn-Marie Staccia

Image ID: 6797
Plant(s): Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Photo Story: I am the volunteer photographer at the Eagle Nature Trail. I have spent nearly 40 hrs. during the summer months trying to get the best hummingbird photo. I was walking down the boardwalk and came upon two hummingbirds fighting. They ignored me. One landed on a branch, and voila - I captured the moment! 🙂
Equipment: Canon EOS 80D 150-600mm lens

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"Hummingbird in the Prairie" by Dawn-Marie Staccia

Image ID: 6798
Plant(s): Immature Male Ruby Throated Hummingbird
Photo Story: As I was looking at my prairie, admiring all of the beautiful flowers, and watching for hummingbirds, I spotted this immature male hummingbird. It was in the late afternoon on a beautiful summer day. He floated down to the plant stem, and just looked at me as if to say, I'm here posing for you! I got the perfect shot!
Equipment: Canon EOS 80D 150-600mm lens

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"Monarch Hug" by Barbara Ryan

Image ID: 6799
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) on Joe Pye Weed (Eupatorium dubium)
Photo Story: This Monarch Butterfly appears to be giving the Joe Pye Weed a hug!
Equipment: I-phone camera

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"Coneflowers and Cranes" by Dawn-Marie Staccia

Image ID: 6800
Plant(s): Native Purple Coneflowers (Echinacea purpurea) and Sandhill Cranes
Photo Story: I went to visit a friend of mine near my house to take photos of her native purple coneflowers that were in bloom. When I arrived, there was a pair of sandhill cranes and a chick in her prairie. While I was taking photos of her coneflowers, the cranes nonchalantly walked in front of the camera. There was my shot - coneflowers and cranes.
Equipment: Canon EOS 80D 150-600mm lens

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"Sweet Sip" by Nan Pokerwinski

Image ID: 6804
Plant(s): Banded Hairstreak butterfly (Satyrium calanus) on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: Walking down the road near my home, I saw a number of tiny butterflies on this milkweed. I singled out this one and later identified it as a Banded Hairstreak.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P610

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"Meal for Milady" by Nan Pokerwinski

Image ID: 6805
Plant(s): American Lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis) on purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
Photo Story: Butterflies always flock to the native coneflowers in my front flower bed, but this was the first time I'd seen an American Lady there.
Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P610

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"Painted lady in wild ageratum" by Cathy Streett

Image ID: 6808
Plant(s): Painted lady Vanessa cardui and wild ageratum Conoclinium coelestinum
Photo Story: I love the time of year when wild ageratum is in full bloom. It brings in all types of pollinators especially butterflies including migrating monarchs. I have also observed common buckeyes, painted ladies, red admirals etc. I can sit on our front porch and watch all the action. It also helps that purple is one of my favorite colors!
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy 5S cell phone

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"Rory-Williams-Gorgone Checkerspot on Black Eyed Susan -2021" by Rory Williams

Image ID: 6823
Plant(s): Gorgone Checkerspot (Chlosyne gorgone) on Black Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Photo Story: The Gorgone Checkerspot is a species of special concern in Wisconsin. We found a colony on the SNA last year. This year the numbers were down but were still present. This butterfly will use the Black Eyed Susan as both a nectar source in the butterfly form and as foodplant for the larval form.
Equipment: Canon Rebel Xti, Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300 mm

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"Flower Fly" by Barbara Zvirzdinis

Image ID: 6827
Plant(s): Rudbeckia laciniata. Green-headed Coneflower Toxomerus marginatus
Photo Story: Not sure how to name or find the format. Barbara-Zvirzdini-flowerfly-2021.jpg Was happy to see this little flower fly enjoying herself on my Green headed Coneflower.
Equipment: Canon eos 60d with macro lens

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"Safe Journey" by Lori-Ann O'Hare

Image ID: 6825
Plant(s): Monarch butterfly
Photo Story: After establishing A native garden with hundreds of milkweed in three different varieties it has become a monarch waystation as well as a home for any and all pollinators. This monarch emerged and within a few hours was ready for takeoff.
Equipment: iPhone

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"Rory-Williams-Monarch on Monarda - 2021" by Rory Williams

Image ID: 6829
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly (Danaus Plexippus) on Monarda (also known as Bee Balm or Wild Bergamot) (Monarda fistulosa)
Photo Story: While doing insect surveys on the SNA (Butterfly and Bumblebee) this Monarch was found in a patch of Monarda
Equipment: Canon Rebel Xti, Canon Zoom Lens EF 75-300 mm

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"Brown-belted Bumble Bee on Common Milkweed" by Mollie King

Image ID: 6830
Plant(s): Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis), Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Photo Story: The photographer is encouraging a meadow with native plants to support pollinators and other wildlife at her home in Calvert County, MD. Common Milkweed is strongly represented - attracting various pollinators such as this Brown-belted Bumble Bee.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

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"Monarch on Common Milkweed" by Mollie King

Image ID: 6831
Plant(s): Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) and Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Photo Story: Common Milkweed is one of the main plants in the photographer's Calvert County, MD meadow, where she encourages native plants to support pollinators like the Monarch.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

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"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

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"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

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"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.

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"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.

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"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

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"Bumble-bee-on-monarda" by Karl Lauger

Image ID: 6909
Plant(s): Bumblebee Monarda (bee balm)
Photo Story: Loved watching the bees gorge themselves on monarda this summer. They always seemed to desperate to get in jsust a little deeper to get that last drop of nectar.
Equipment: iPhone 7

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"After The Morning Rain" by James Cudney

Image ID: 6911
Plant(s): Broad-handed Leafcutter Bee, Megachile latimanus on Purple Prairie Clover, Dalea purpurea
Photo Story: A Broad-handed Leafcutter Bee visits the post-rain Purple Prairie Clover in a wet meadow restoration site in Northern Illinois
Equipment: iPhone 8 Plus

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"Jewels of the garden" by Laurie Johnson

Image ID: 6912
Plant(s): Monarch, Danaus plexippus on swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata
Photo Story: This photo was taken two years after I had to convert a shaded woodland garden to a "mostly sunny" garden after two large shade trees in my yard had to be removed. After much replanning and replanting, blooms began appearing again, and attracting pollinators, including monarchs, back to the site.
Equipment: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 with Canon EF 28-80mm @ ISO 400, f11, 1/400

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"Frittilary Butterflys" by Jeanne Panka

Image ID: 6916
Plant(s): Frittilary Butterflies on Indian Hemp, Apocyum cannabinum
Photo Story: At the entrance to the Retzer Nature Center front door there is a strip of garden against the wall planted with native plance. Manny of these butterflies were flying up and down the bed stopping at various flowers.
Equipment: Sony Cyber-shot digital camera

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"Delaware Skipper Feeding in Echinacea Seed Head in Early Summer" by Evelyn Jackson

Image ID: 6921
Plant(s): Pyrrharctia isabella: Delaware Skipper; Echinacea purpurea: purple cone flower;
Photo Story: I enjoy photographing pollinators on our native garden plants, and this particular insect caught my eye.
Equipment: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, Canon 24-105 lens;

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"Lethal Attraction" by Karla McGrail

Image ID: 6935
Plant(s): Swamp Milkweed / Asclepias incarnata
Photo Story: This honeybee (non-native Apis mellifera) perished after getting her leg ensnared in the milkweed flower's stigmatic slit. Although this process is essential for the milkweed to spread its pollen by the sticky pollinia (pollen packets) which adhere to the legs of nectaring insects, it can occaisionally lead to pollinator dismemberment or sometimes death. (Note the pollinia- yellowish wishbone-shaped) sticking elsewhere to the legs and body of this bee.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21

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"Golden Northern Bumble Bee on Blue Lobelia" by Joan Brandwein

Image ID: 6938
Plant(s): Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervid) on Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia Siphilitica)
Photo Story: Over the past several years, I have planted several Blue Lobelia plants in my front and back yard native planting areas and they have multiplied and naturalized beautifully. In late summer, as the flowers open up and down the stems, the plants are buzzing with bees. This year, I was excited to spot several beautiful Bombus fervidus (Golden Northern Bumble bee) visiting the lobelia and busily buzzing from bloom to bloom!
Equipment: sony a7riii, Tamron 70-180 lens

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"Gary-Shackelford-monarchs-on-blazing-star-2021" by Gary Shackelford

Image ID: 6941
Plant(s): Monarch (Danaus plexippus), blazing-star (Liatris ligulistylis)
Photo Story: Two monarchs nectaring on a blazing-star
Equipment: Nikon D850, 500mm lens

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"Gary-Shackelford-fritillary-feeding-frenzy-2021" by Gary Shackelford

Image ID: 6942
Plant(s): Great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele), butterfly milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: Four great spangled fritillaries are shown feeding on a butterfly milkweed
Equipment: Nikon D850, Nikon zoom telephoto lens

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"Wait your turn!" by Laurie Johnson

Image ID: 6950
Plant(s): Great spangled fritillary, Speyeria cybele and an unidentified bee on wild bergamot, Monarda fistulosa
Photo Story: A hike at the peak of summer blooming at my favorite area trail provided views of many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Equipment: Canon EOS REBEL SL1 with Canon EF 100-400mm ISO 400, f9, 1/800s

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"Lunch Time" by Noreen Kepple

Image ID: 6955
Plant(s): tiger swallowtail butterfly on pink phlox
Photo Story: On an incredibly windy day I found this butterfly battling the breezes to enjoy lunch. Even with a torn wing it managed to stay on the flower and sip nectar. It was a powerful moment.
Equipment: iphone camera

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"Can't Fence Me In" by Noreen Kepple

Image ID: 6956
Plant(s): A monarch caterpillar feeding on a milkweed seedling.
Photo Story: One day I went to check my squash plants and I found this monarch feeding on a milkweed seedling that had naturally seeded itself in my garden. I often combine flowers in my veggie gardens. I am glad I did because I gave life to a new monarch butterfly.
Equipment: iphone camera

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"Clearwing & Milkweed Flowers" by Barbara DeGraves

Image ID: 6960
Plant(s): Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) & Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis)
Photo Story: After some refreshing rain, this Snowberry Clearwing Moth was hovering around a cluster of Swamp Milkweed. Everything was sparkling as the sun emerged brightly from behind the clouds. With proboscis in a curl, the moth pollinator was ready to drink some nectar.
Equipment: Canon 90D, 1/2500 sec @ f/8.0, ISO 1000, Sigma Lens 100-400 mm Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop

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"BEE AT WORK" by Susan Wagoner

Image ID: 6965
Plant(s): New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) and Leafcutter Bee (Megachile species)
Photo Story: This "Busy Bee" appears to love the New England Aster as it collects pollen on its underside.
Equipment: Canon EOS 7D- 100mm macro lens

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"Lucky Seat" by Keren Pomp Fortier

Image ID: 6966
Plant(s): Azalea
Photo Story: I was seated at the base of this Azalea when I heard some buzz.
Equipment: iPhone

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"ON A MISSION" by Susan Wagoner

Image ID: 6974
Plant(s): Bee Balm (Monarda species) and Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe)
Photo Story: One of the most colorful pollinators attracted to my Menarda flowers is this beautiful moth.
Equipment: Canon EOS 7D- 100mm macro lens

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"Dragonfly Shadow" by Keren Pomp Fortier

Image ID: 6973
Plant(s): Lily Pad, Dragonfly
Photo Story: The longer I sit still, the more I notice.
Equipment: iPhone

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"Hello There, May I Come In?" by Gina Michels

Image ID: 6988
Plant(s): Bumblebee, Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Photo Story: The bumblebees are busy nectaring on the sneezeweed, native sunflowers and tall coreopsis but one occasionally wonders over 'barges' in on a secluded turtlehead.
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100 mm lens

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"I Look Great in Blue...Lobelia" by Gina Michels

Image ID: 6989
Plant(s): Great Blue Lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica)
Photo Story: I just planted the Great Blue Lobelia in early summer and then was rude enough to relocate it later in the summer when we created a new native area. They are thriving despite me! The bumblebees were the most plentiful pollinator in sight the day I took this photo but there was this one wasp and blue looked really great on her!
Equipment: Canon 7D, 100 mm lens

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"Foxglove Beardtongue with Bumble Bee Landing" by Karen Eckman

Image ID: 7001
Plant(s): Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) Bumble Bee
Photo Story: I took this shot in June, 2020 in my backyard. I loved seeing the landing stripes in the blossom with the bee making a "bee-line" right to them.
Equipment: Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II with a Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45mm F2.8 Asph. Mega OIS lens

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"Sweet Joe Pye Weed with Skipper Butterfly" by Karen Eckman

Image ID: 7002
Plant(s): Sweet Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium purpureum) Skipper Butterfly
Photo Story: The Joe Pye in my backyard was starting to bloom when I saw this Skipper Butterfly I had not seen before. I believe it is a Peck's Skipper, but I know butterflies can be tricky to identify!
Equipment: Olympus E-M5 Mark II Lens Leica DG Macro-Elmarit 45 mm F2.8 Asph.M

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"Green Sweat Bee on Pale Purple Coneflower" by Ruth Hilfiker

Image ID: 7011
Plant(s): Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon) and Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
Photo Story: The stylish metallic green sweat bee is short-tongued so it needs shallow flowers like the graceful pale purple coneflower. I have studied the habitat needs of native bees so I can create the best home for them on my all Organic native landscape on 1.75 acres. Too many people don’t understand that native bees are much more effective pollinators than European honey bees and butterflies. I planted the pale purple coneflower on the slope of my 18 ft x 34 ft raingarden where it bloomed in late June, a blooming gap that only a few native flowers fill.
Equipment: iphone 7

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"Going For The Gold" by Ruth Hilfiker

Image ID: 7013
Plant(s): Stiff Goldenrod, Oligoneuron rigidum and Two-spotted bumble bee, Bombus bimaculatus; Golden Soldier Beetle, Chauliognathus Pennsylvanicus
Photo Story: The corbiculae or pollen baskets are easily seen on this bumble bee foraging on this stiff golden rod that gets an extremely high density of native bees and golden soldier beetles. The buzzing of happy native bees is loud within 3 ft of the stiff goldenrod. I planted the stiff goldenrod on the top of the slope of the outlet of my 18 ft x 34 ft raingarden.
Equipment: iphone 7

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"Mr. Bumble Likes Swamp Thistle" by Donnie Bryan

Image ID: 7021
Plant(s): Bumble Bee on Native Swamp Thistle
Photo Story: I purchased swamp thistle seed to add to my rain garden and the blooms have been frequented by numerous pollinators, including bumble bees.
Equipment: iPhone7

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"Great Spangled Fritillary Enjoying Pasture Thistle" by Wendy Vernon

Image ID: 7023
Plant(s): Great Spangled Fritillary (Speyeria cybele) Pasture Thistle (Cirsium discolor)
Photo Story: I was walking along the overgrown path at West Chicago Prairie in Illinois on 8/26/21 and this wonderful butterfly appeared right in front of me sitting on a pasture thistle.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

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"Bad Hair Day" by Janice Bain

Image ID: 7024
Plant(s): The flower is a Western Sunflower: Helianthus occidentalis The caterpillar is a: Camouflaged Looper The moth it will become is a: Wavy lined emerald moth
Photo Story: I noticed a "mess" in the middle of my western sunflower. Curiosity got the best of me so I gave it a nudge. It moved just a bit so I knew it was something! I took some pictures of the "blob" and of it "stretched out" like an inchworm. What a find!!! In this case, the caterpillar creates a costume by adhering little pieces of flower petals to its back. This helps it blend in with the flower. If it is on liatris, it will wear purple petals, on a sunflower? it will wear yellow petals. What a great way to hide from predators. I had found a "Camouflaged Looper". These wonderful creatures become "Wavy Lined Emerald Moths". Thanks to Doug Tallamy for teaching me about these insects in his book. I knew right where to look to find it.
Equipment: Nikon 1, J1 mirrorless camera - very OLD 70-300mm Nikkor Lens

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"Monarch Caterpillar Feasting On Butterfly Weed" by Wendy Vernon

Image ID: 7027
Plant(s): Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar (Danaus plexippus) Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: I spotted this Monarch caterpillar on Butterfly Weed at Bluff Spring Fen in Elgin, Illinois on June 24, 2020.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy s8 Plus

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"Sandusky on Bushy Brown-eyed Susan" by Donnie Bryan

Image ID: 7028
Plant(s): Sandusky butterfly on native Bushy Brown-eyed Susan
Photo Story: I was enjoying an afternoon on my deck when I saw this beauty moving from plant to plant. I grabbed my phone and shot the photo.
Equipment: iPhone 7

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"New Life" by Jessica Schrishuhn

Image ID: 7036
Plant(s): Monarch Caterpillar and Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: It's hard not to do a double take when first setting eyes on the Monarch Caterpillar. Its striking pattern against the green of the Milkweed is magical but very fleeting. Felt lucky to have spotted a couple this summer!
Equipment: Google Pixel

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"Big Change" by Jessica Schrishuhn

Image ID: 7038
Plant(s): Black Swallowtail, Missouri Ironweed (Vernonia missurica), Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), and Common Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
Photo Story: I read that encountering a black butterfly may symbolize "a big change" coming in your life. The Black Swallowtail is a good metaphor for all of us this past year!
Equipment: Google Pixel

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"Rusty Patched Bumble Bee" by Troy Waldschmidt

Image ID: 7041
Plant(s): Rusty Patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis) on Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
Photo Story: I spotted my first Rusty Patched Bumble bee in my Peoria backyard back in July,they favored the Cup Plants,but the one in picture was nectaring on swamp milkweed,which allowed a closer picture.
Equipment: Canon PowerShot pocket camera

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"Orange and Gold" by David Silsbee

Image ID: 7050
Plant(s): Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) on Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Photo Story: The Great Golden Digger Wasp is one of my favorite wasps, and not just because of its name. It buzzes in like a jet airplane, flashing its shining golden face and drawing my attention from anywhere in the meadow with its noise. It moves around hyperactively, rarely giving a chance to focus on its beautiful face. When it does stop and pose for a second, though, it's a beautiful sight.
Equipment: Canon 5D Mark IV, 100 mm Macro Lens, Twin-Lite Flash.

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"Sipping Through a Straw" by David Silsbee

Image ID: 7051
Plant(s): Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps Fulvicollis) on Spotted Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
Photo Story: The Yellow-collared Scape moth (so-called even though its collar is clearly orange), is a very cooperative subject, sitting at each flower sucking contentedly for several seconds before moving on the the next. It's a pleasure to work with while all the bees and wasps are buzzing from one place to another so quickly that it's hard to follow them.
Equipment: Canon 5D Mark IV, 100 mm Macro Lens, Twin-Lite Flash

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""Company's Coming"" by Diana Green

Image ID: 7060
Plant(s): Giant Swallowtail on Echinacea with a honey bee coming to share the bounty.
Photo Story: Many swallowtails have been in my Habitat Garden this year. They especially have liked the Echinacea, but so do the bees. Every time this swallowtail landed on an Echinacea it was disturbed soon afterwards by some bee wanting the same thing.
Equipment: SONY RX10

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"Bombus on Baptisia" by Theodore White

Image ID: 7059
Plant(s): Bumblebee (Bombus sp.) Yellow false indigo (Baptisia tinctoria)
Photo Story: It’s a beautiful time in June, when milkweeds, beebalm, fleabane, Heliopsis and Baptisia are all in bloom, the garden is buzzing with hover flies, milkweed beetles and bees, black raspberries are ripe for eating, and the first monarchs begin to appear. I love the contrast of the delicate and diminutive pale yellow Baptisia with the size, weight and perfect roundness of the friendly fuzzy bombers.
Equipment: Canon EOS 6D Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L

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"Brenda Adams Milkweed for dinner 2021" by Brenda Adams

Image ID: 7066
Plant(s): Asclepias incarnata, common name: swamp milkweed Monarch butterfly
Photo Story: I have a large grouping of swamp milkweed that attracts many insects and butterflies. I captured this picture one afternoon when the monarch was visiting the garden.
Equipment: Canon EOS 40D

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"Brenda Adams 'blazing' monarch 2021" by Brenda Adams

Image ID: 7068
Plant(s): Liatris common name: blazing star Monarch butterfly
Photo Story: A monarch stopped for a minute on the blazing star with the sun shining on it's wings
Equipment: Canon EOS 40D

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"Fuzzy Buzzy on Purple Cone Flower" by Kelley Locke

Image ID: 7073
Plant(s): Bee and Purple Cone Flower
Photo Story: I was just out getting some photos for the county fair. My backyard is usually a buzz with many types of bees and other pollinators. I just happened to snap the photo at the right time.
Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel SL2

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"Symbiotic Beauty" by Pierce Brown

Image ID: 7082
Plant(s): Fireweed Great Spangled Fritillary
Photo Story: A North American butterfly and her best friend, the beautiful Fireweed
Equipment: OnePlus 7 GM1915 Android Phone

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"Monarch at rest" by Julie White

Image ID: 7087
Plant(s): Monarch caterpillar on White Swamp Milkweed (asclepias perennis)
Photo Story: The monarch looks like he is hanging back and resting his wings on the milkweed behind him.
Equipment: Nikon D7500 f/7.1 1/500 300.00mm ISO200

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"Monarch on Meadow Blazing Star" by Leanne Phinney

Image ID: 7098
Plant(s): Plant common name: Meadow Blazing Star Plant scientific name: Liatris Ligulistylis Fauna: Monarch Butterfly
Photo Story: A few days ago I was in my native plant garden with my camera, looking for pollinators to land on some of my late blooming plants, when this monarch flew in and went straight for my only currently blooming meadow blazing star plant. The monarch was there for at least 20 minutes moving around the blooms and occasionally leaving for just a few seconds before coming right back to the flowers. It was an intensely orange butterfly and continued to slowly open and close its wings, so I believe that it had only recently emerged from its chrysalis! It was a beautiful few moments to experience and photograph!
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix FZ300

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"Plight of the bumblebee" by Julie White

Image ID: 7089
Plant(s): Bee flying towards White swamp Milkweed
Photo Story: bee's flight toward the milkweed
Equipment: Nikon D7500 f/10.0 1/400 105.00mm ISO 100

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"Bumblebee on Sneezeweed" by Leanne Phinney

Image ID: 7090
Plant(s): Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) Bumblebee (do not know which species)
Photo Story: I enjoy taking photos native plants in my yard, and I couldn't resist taking a photo of this bumblebee laden with bright yellow pollen that exactly matched the sneezeweed.
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix FZ300

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"Bombus on a Daisy" by Mariola Castrejon

Image ID: 7093
Plant(s): bumblebee (Bombus spp.) & lakeside daisy (Tetraneuris herbacea)
Photo Story: Caught a bumblebee on a lakeside daisy during a visit to see these federally-listed plants in bloom with the Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association.
Equipment: iPhone 7

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