"The Beauty of Milkweed" by Mary Stasson
Image ID: 6258
Plant(s): Common milkweed
Swamp milkweed
Photo Story: I began growing milkweed, and other pollinator plants, on our shoreline to help the monarchs and other pollinators in decline. I often use this picture to inspire others that common milkweed is beautiful and the preferred food source for the caterpillars.!
Equipment: My Android phone.
Title: The Beauty of MilkweedPhotographer: Mary Stasson
Location: Our holding pond, Chaska, MN
Chapter: Prairie Edge
"Wild Cardinal Flowers in the Oak Openings" by Denise Gehring
Image ID: 6300
Plant(s): Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Photo Story: Irwin Prairie is considered the best wet prairie in Ohio with rarities like red baneberry and Kalm’s St. Johnswort to spotted turtles and golden winged warblers. This Oak Openings habitat is carefully preserved by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves with volunteers like University of Toledo faculty, students and Wild Ones.
Equipment: iPhone 11
Title: Wild Cardinal Flowers in the Oak OpeningsPhotographer: Denise Gehring
Location: Irwin Prairie State Nature Preserve, Ohio
Chapter: Oak Openings Region
"Spring in the Oak Openings Region" by Denise Gehring
Image ID: 6301
Plant(s): Wild Lupine (Lupinus perennis) and Plains Puccoon (Lithospermum caroliense)
Photo Story: In the sunny oak savannas and sand barrens of the Oak Openings Region, spring wildflowers bloom later than their counterparts of shady forests. Wild lupine and Plains (Hairy) puccoon put on a show for their pollinators in mid to late May—lucky for us!
Equipment: iPhone 11
Title: Spring in the Oak Openings RegionPhotographer: Denise Gehring
Location: Meilke Savanna
Chapter: Oak Openings Region
"Ancient Oaks Stands Sentinel" by Linda Nett-Duesterhoeft
Image ID: 6501
Plant(s): Oak; possible a white oak
Photo Story: This ancient oak, with outstretched limbs appears like a mighty sentinel, guarding the prairie.
Equipment: IPhone X
Title: Ancient Oaks Stands SentinelPhotographer: Linda Nett-Duesterhoeft
Location: Mosquito Hill Nature Center, New London, WI
Chapter: Fox Valley Area
"Devils Lake Hike WI" by Joseph Eichers
Image ID: 6538
Plant(s): Plants and trees
Photo Story: Hiking the trails
Equipment: Canon 6D Canon 24-105mm lens
Title: Devils Lake Hike WIPhotographer: Joseph Eichers
Location: Devils Lake State Park WI
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Flowers Before the Storm" by Joseph Eichers
Image ID: 6539
Plant(s): Blackeyed Susan
Photo Story: Hiking back to shelter before the storm
Equipment: Canon 6D Canon 24-105mm lens
Title: Flowers Before the StormPhotographer: Joseph Eichers
Location: Forest Beach Migratory Preserve Port Washington WI
Chapter: Partner At Large
"Elegant Architecture" by Mel Luna
Image ID: 6529
Plant(s): I believe this is Apocynum androsaemifolium L, common name Spreading Dogbane.
Photo Story: A late winter walk (March 20, 2021) through the Nature Center prairie found me completely enchanted by these lingering seed pods with their twists and fluff.
Equipment: Fujifilm Finepix XP 130
Title: Elegant ArchitecturePhotographer: Mel Luna
Location: Kalamazoo Nature Center
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"Trout Lily" by Mel Luna
Image ID: 6548
Plant(s): Yellow Trout Lily, Erythronium americanum
Photo Story: A clear blue sky, a delicate yellow lily with the most interesting leaves. I'm new to the region and was delighted by these natives populating the woodland hillsides along the Kal-Haven trail in springtime.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Title: Trout LilyPhotographer: Mel Luna
Location: Kal-Haven trail
Chapter: Kalamazoo Area
"Wild Leek Flowers and Turkey Tail Mushrooms" by Linda Shuster
Image ID: 6557
Plant(s): Wild leek flower (Allium tricoccum) and Turkey tail mushroom (Trametes versicolor)
Photo Story: We had just walked through the prairie at Sugar Grove and entered the adjoining woods. We were greeted with hundreds of Wild leek flowers. I spotted the log covered with Turkey tail mushrooms, and it reminded me of a serpent, so I had to get a photo of the 'serpent' surrounded by the beautiful flowers.
Equipment: iPhone SE
Title: Wild Leek Flowers and Turkey Tail MushroomsPhotographer: Linda Shuster
Location: Sugar Grove Nature Center, Funks Grove, IL 61754
Chapter: River City-Grand Rapids Area
"Autumn Reflections in the Sangamon River" by Mike Holtz
Image ID: 6587
Plant(s): Silver Maples, Eastern Cottonwoods, etc. (typical Illinois bottomland trees)
Photo Story: Photographing the Sangamon River in Champaign and Piatt counties during each season for my online photo gallery that includes east central Illinois flora, fauna and landscapes.
Equipment: Sony DSLR, Tamron lens, and Photoshop CS6
Title: Autumn Reflections in the Sangamon RiverPhotographer: Mike Holtz
Location: Shady Rest Forest Preserve near White Heath, Piatt County, Illinois
Chapter: Illinois Prairie
"Summer Reflections in the Sangamon River" by Mike Holtz
Image ID: 6637
Plant(s): Sawtooth Sunflowers and Silver Maples, Eastern Cottonwoods, etc. (typical Illinois bottomland trees)
Photo Story: Photographing the Sangamon River in Champaign and Piatt counties during each season for an online photo gallery that includes east central Illinois flora, fauna and landscapes.
Equipment: Sony DSLR, Tamron lenses, and Photoshop CS6
Title: Summer Reflections in the Sangamon RiverPhotographer: Mike Holtz
Location: Lodge Park and Forest Preserve near Monticello, Piatt County, Illinois
Chapter: Illinois Prairie
"Fawn along the Scripture Trail" by Rex Browns
Image ID: 6660
Plant(s): Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Buttonbush (Veronicastrum virginicum), Culvers Root (Cephalanthus occidentalis). Those are the only one in bloom in the picture. There are probably 15-20 more natives in the picture but not in bloom and not identifiable in this picture.
Photo Story: We have four trail cams that we move around the CITWC Nature Park each week. On this week, one of the trail cams was along the Scripture Trail. The wonderful photo is of a fawn on the trail amongst several native wildflowers.
Equipment: Trail Cam
Title: Fawn along the Scripture TrailPhotographer: Rex Browns
Location: Scripture Trail, CITWC Nature Park, 6109 W. Bancroft St, Toledo, Ohio
Chapter: Oak Openings Region
"Scene at Jackson Park" by Kyla Muhammad
Image ID: 6704
Plant(s): Pickerelweed and white waterlily
Photo Story: Just a beautiful view of a pond at Jackson Park.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro phone camera
Title: Scene at Jackson ParkPhotographer: Kyla Muhammad
Location: Jackson Park, Chicago, IL
Chapter: Greater DuPage
"Empty shells" by David Pilcher
Image ID: 6720
Plant(s): Mussels shells
Photo Story: Edge of wetlands
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Empty shellsPhotographer: David Pilcher
Location: Logan County Ohio
Chapter: Lexington
"September Prairie Sunset" by Sheree Oden
Image ID: 6766
Plant(s): This is most likely coreopsis palmata or coreopsis grandiflora .
Photo Story: Walking at sunset in the Dean Nature Preserve
Equipment: iPhone XR camera
Title: September Prairie SunsetPhotographer: Sheree Oden
Location: Dean Nature Preserve, Oak Brook, Illinois
Chapter: West Cook
"Letcher Basin Prairie" by Mary Jo Adams
Image ID: 6772
Plant(s): Gray-headed coneflower, monarda, wild rye, Big Bluestem
Photo Story: This is an approximately 10 yr. old re-created prairie, planted along the Mackinaw River in Central Illinois. Corn and soybeans were planted here previously for many, many years.
Equipment: Canon EOS M6 with 18-150mm image stabilization lens
Title: Letcher Basin PrairiePhotographer: Mary Jo Adams
Location: ParkLands Letcher Basin Preserve, Woodford County, Illinois
Chapter: Illinois Prairie
"Grey-headed Coneflower surprise" by Cathy Streett
Image ID: 6816
Plant(s): Grey-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata
Photo Story: Grey-headed Coneflower Ratibida pinnata stars in this photo of the rain garden habitat at our local park that was converted to native plantings a few years ago. Other flowers include Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa and Purple Coneflower, Echinacea purpurea in July at this spot.
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy 5S cell phone
Title: Grey-headed Coneflower surprisePhotographer: Cathy Streett
Location: Chestnut Park Darien IL
Chapter: West Cook
"MaumeeRiverView" by Christopher Barry
Image ID: 6817
Plant(s): False Sunflower
Turks Cap Lilly
Bergamot
Joe Pye Weed
Photo Story: Difficult to include many wild flower varieties visibly into one image.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Title: MaumeeRiverViewPhotographer: Christopher Barry
Location: 341 West Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551
Chapter: Oak Openings Region
"Birchwood Park Shoreline plantings" by Cathy Streett
Image ID: 6818
Plant(s): Rudbeckia, Illinois Bundleflower Desmanthus illinoensis, swamp, common and butterfly milkweed, grey headed coneflower, Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot), Senna, Partridge Pea etc. Not all blooming in this photo.
Photo Story: Wayward tree seedlings were removed and native seed was added to the shoreline at this park to the delight of the neighbors in 2020. The native plant habitat is wonderful. We love visiting to see the changes and work to identifying the newest blooms. The insects are plentiful as well as many bird species. It's great to see the park district putting nature back into the park!
Equipment: Samsung Galaxy 5S cell phone
Title: Birchwood Park Shoreline plantingsPhotographer: Cathy Streett
Location: Birchwood Park Darien, IL
Chapter: West Cook
"Peaceful Reflection" by John Bales
Image ID: 6828
Plant(s): Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata),
Deer, Willow, White oak, Black gum, Hickory, Northern red oak,
Purple-headed sneezeweed (Helenium flexuosum),
Photo Story: I was sitting by the pond fishing when these two deer walked in. Realizing how beautiful, I quickly pulled out my phone and took several photos. The deer decided to take a nap for about ten minutes then continued around the pond.
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Peaceful ReflectionPhotographer: John Bales
Location: St. Francois County, Missouri
Chapter: Southeast Missouri
"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 SunsetPhotographer: Catherine McKenzie
Location: Apple Creek trail in Appleton
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 MeadowPhotographer: Maureen Ruben
Location: Holland Patent NY r
Chapter: Mohawk Valley
"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 PreservePhotographer: Frances Manos
Location: Afton Forest Preserve, near DeKalb, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"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 SpringPhotographer: 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 EgretPhotographer: Barbara DeGraves
Location: Saint George Island State Park, Florida
Chapter: SoKY
"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 PrairiePhotographer: James Cudney
Location: Lakewood Forest Preserve, Wauconda, Illinois
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"Dried Compass leaf" by Beth Nutter
Image ID: 6913
Plant(s): Compass plant in late fall
Photo Story: I love compass plant and was so taken back by the dried caught in the wind look of this compass plant leaf
Equipment: iPhone 4
Title: Dried Compass leafPhotographer: Beth Nutter
Location: Pingree forest preserve
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"What do you see in the wild?" by Beth Nutter
Image ID: 6915
Plant(s): Various trees and pond at Salamander springs
Photo Story: This was taken at Salamander springs and I turned it on it’s side! Right away I saw a butterfly in the middle and others see monkey and lion and who knows what else. Im hoping it’s bright enough. I can brighten it more if needed.
Equipment: iPhone 4
Title: What do you see in the wild?Photographer: Beth Nutter
Location: Salamander springs
Chapter: Greater Kane County
"Gary-Shackelford-Nighthawk-Meadow-in-summer-2021" by Gary Shackelford
Image ID: 6945
Plant(s): Pale purple coneflower (Echinacea pallida), yellow coneflower (Ratibida pinnata), common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), white wild indigo (Baptisia alba), eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides), shagbark hickory (Carya ovata)
Photo Story: A view of a restored prairie (Nighthawk Meadow) at Fair Meadows SNA near sunset in early summer. A sedge meadow is shown on the right beyond the prairie (around the large cottonwoods).
Equipment: Sony RX100 Mark V camera
Title: Gary-Shackelford-Nighthawk-Meadow-in-summer-2021Photographer: Gary Shackelford
Location: Fair Meadows SNA, Wisconsin
Chapter: Madison
"Gary-Shackelford-sedges-willows-and-spring-snow-2021" by Gary Shackelford
Image ID: 6951
Plant(s): Black willow (Salix nigra), common lake sedge (Carex lacustris)
Photo Story: A grove of black willows in a sedge meadow at Fair Meadows SNA after an early spring snowstorm. Snow-covered sedges (primarily common lake sedge) are shown in the foreground.
Equipment: Nikon D850, Nikon 16–35mm lens
Title: Gary-Shackelford-sedges-willows-and-spring-snow-2021Photographer: Gary Shackelford
Location: Fair Meadows SNA, Wisconsin
Chapter: Madison
"Breeze Catchers" by Keren Pomp Fortier
Image ID: 6976
Plant(s): Spider Webs over water
Photo Story: Webs present a photographic challenge. They are so clear to my eyes before disappearing in a camera lens! I was determined to capture one of many beautifies that morning.
Equipment: iPhone
Title: Breeze CatchersPhotographer: Keren Pomp Fortier
Location: Norwell MA
Chapter: South Shore MA
"Maximilian's Sunflowers & Indian Grass" by Elisa Zappacosta
Image ID: 6987
Plant(s): Maximilian's Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani) and Indian Grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Photo Story: Maximilian's Sunflowers and Indian Grass blooming in September on our hillside prairie
NOTE: Photo was renamed as described below, but uploaded with an Earlier Photo Name.
Equipment: iPhone SE
Title: Maximilian's Sunflowers & Indian GrassPhotographer: Elisa Zappacosta
Location: Westfield, IA
Chapter: Loess Hills
"Snail/Sucker Lakes Regional Park" by Karen Eckman
Image ID: 7008
Plant(s): Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata), Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), Meadow (or Northern Plains) Blazing Star (Liatris ligulistylis), Narrow leaf Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia), and more!
Photo Story: Our chapter of Wild Ones assisted the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District and Island Lake Elementary students in planting this amazing native shoreline garden along a public walking trail. This was the first season for this planting. I was amazed at how robust the plants were in their new home. The conditions were apparently perfect for these species. I had never seen Cardinal flower that "happy"!
Equipment: iPhone XR back camera 4.25 mm f 1.8
Title: Snail/Sucker Lakes Regional ParkPhotographer: Karen Eckman
Location: Snail/Sucker Lakes Regional Park, Shoreview, MN wetland
Chapter: Big River Big Woods
"Bur Oak Savanna, Save this Keystone Species and Ecosystem" by Ruth Hilfiker
Image ID: 7017
Plant(s): Bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa
Photo Story: This stunning 140 year old bur oak stands on the banks of the Willow River. It has mothered numerous small oaks in the pure sandy slope below its embracing branches. The conservation area easement around it was an oak savanna but is beginning to be invaded by box elder, buckthorn, ash, and Chinese elm. It is difficult to convince others that aggressive species have to be controlled to save the oaks. The dream is to restore the oak savanna and to plant to pollinator flowers and grasses. My experience is that oaks are an integral part of the prairie ecosystem, a keystone species. I have observed flocks of blue birds and Monarchs and hummingbirds resting under and in bur oaks. Eagles roost in the top branches. So many seem be in a hurry to get fast weeding tree species growing, but only if they would take time to appreciate and plant bur oaks. I planted 2, 10 year old, 10 foot bur oaks in my all native landscape and honor their presence...so do the birds.
Equipment: iphone 7
Title: Bur Oak Savanna, Save this Keystone Species and EcosystemPhotographer: Ruth Hilfiker
Location: Sub-division Conservation Easement Area - Glens of the Willow, west of New Richmond, WI
Chapter: St. Croix Oak Savanna
"Early Autumn Woods" by Donnie Bryan
Image ID: 7044
Plant(s): Native trees including sassafras, persimmon, hickory, oak, maple, and others
Photo Story: I love the early autumn just as the leaves are getting their autumn colors. I loved the worms-eye view.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Title: Early Autumn WoodsPhotographer: Donnie Bryan
Location: On my property in Nashville, Tennessee
Chapter: Middle Tennessee
"The Beautiful May Prairie" by Donnie Bryan
Image ID: 7049
Plant(s): Blazing Star, Sedge, and other prairie grasses, plants, and a background of trees
Photo Story: I revisited the May Prairie and found the vast display of blazing star beautiful.
Equipment: iPhone 7
Title: The Beautiful May PrairiePhotographer: Donnie Bryan
Location: May Prairie in Manchester, Tennessee
Chapter: Middle Tennessee
"Wild Lupine" by Leanne Phinney
Image ID: 7061
Plant(s): Wild Lupine and Pearly Everlasting
Photo Story: I like to visit Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge every year when the wild lupine is blooming. In 2019 the lupine was especially abundant, making for some great photos!
Equipment: Panasonic Lumix FZ-300
Title: Wild LupinePhotographer: Leanne Phinney
Location: Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Zimmerman, MN
Chapter: Big River Big Woods
"Rocky Path" by Pierce Brown
Image ID: 7080
Plant(s): Evergreen trees
Photo Story: The green trees and gray clouds almost seemed endless as I took this photo. If you look closely in the rocky path, you'll see my partner Rachel making her way through the path. This shows just how massive the area is and how endless the green seems.
Equipment: OnePlus 7 GM1915 Android Phone
Title: Rocky PathPhotographer: Pierce Brown
Location: Rock Creek Lake, California
Chapter: Mohawk Valley
"Majestic Oak" by Julie White
Image ID: 7096
Plant(s): Oak Tree
Photo Story: Love walking in the park with my husband, Dean, and looking at all the native trees and flowers
Equipment: Google Pixel 3 f/1.8 1/7813 4.44mm ISO 071
Title: Majestic OakPhotographer: Julie White
Location: Delnor Woods Park
Chapter: Greater Kane County