wildflowers

Cardinal flowers are found in shady areas along streams and/or small creeks.

Though it grows in areas of low light, the cardinal flower is easy to spot.

Purple loosestrife has gained more than a foothold in our wetlands in recent decades.

While it's quite colorful, loosestrife is an invasive plant that can take over a wetland, choking out aquatic vegetation that is beneficial to wildlife

Bull thistle accented by a ray of early morning light

The bloom of this thistle is about maxed out -- note the snail on the thistle to the right.

A member of the sunflower family, Jerusalem artichoke has an edible root that, according to the Audubon field guide, is "highly nutritious and unlike potatoes, contains no starch but rather carbohydrate in a form that is metabolized into natural sugar." 

Queen Anne's lace amid yellow hawkweed, both are found in abundance along country roads and meadows.

Chicory is another common roadside wildflower.

This is common tansy.

With Autumn offically arriving at 5:18 p.m. tomorrow, I'd like to share these late summer photos taken last week.

Purple asters and goldenrod are two of the more prolific wildflowers in the area.

Note the bumble bee at the top left of the goldenrod.

Asters close up.

Virginia Creeper with a headstart on the autumn foliage.

"Creeper" enveloping willow and cottonwood trunks.

Windmill marsh as seen from observation tower on Albion Road, Oakfield.

Backwater south of Windmill Marsh.