Late Spring Wildflowers at Crex Meadows

 

Blue Flag Iris

White and Yellow Water Lilies

Orange Hawkweed

Wood Lily

Indian Paintbrush

Hedge Nettle

Harbell

Columbine

Butterfly Weed

Birds-foot Treffoil

 

 

Water Lilies

Water Lilies taken on a recent visit to Crex Meadows.

 

Water Lilies at Crex Meadows

There were quite a few water lilies blooming at Crex Meadows Wildlife area on our last visit.

 

An Early Summer Flowers a Crex Meadows

The White Water Lilies were blooming. Since they are fairly fresh it was easy to find some to photograph that were not covered with bugs or debris.

The Milkweed and the Common and Swamp Milkweed were starting to bloom. We did see a few Monarch Butterflies throughout the Meadows.

Butterfly weed was blooming throughout the Meadows.

We found quite a few other flowers blooming. Check the Crex Meadows website for a list of currently blooming flowers.

Wood Rose

Wood Lily

Hoary Puccoon

Harebell

Beautiful Morning at Hoffman Hills

It had been over a week since my wife and I stopped at Hoffman Hills to look around. Constant rain had prevented a visit but today it was beautiful and sunny.

The ponds were really full of water. This emerging White Water Lilly was floating on the water.

The grasses were reflected in the pond.

As we approached the first pond in the wetlands area we encountered a pair of Canada Geese. They didn’t have any young but they were defending their territory. Another goose came flying in and they drove it off.

 

The trees and bushes were emerging from the long winter.

I was able to capture two birds that I had never photographed before. This elusive Belted Kingfisher was feeding in one of the ponds.

There was also a Northern Flicker feeding on the pond dyke.

The last time we were at Hoffman Hills there were a pair of bluebirds on this house. Tree Swallows seemed to have taken over.

Midsummer Wildflowers at Crex Meadows

On a recent trip to Crex Meadows I was able to photograph some of the midsummer wildflowers.

Prairie Blazing Star

White Water Lily

Blue Vervain

Swamp Milkweed