Looking into the Dying Sun

It's the end of the season, but the sunflowers are still beautiful in the butterfly garden at Rotary Botanical Gardens, in Janesville, Rock County, Wisconsin (USA).

The Sentinel

A female ruby-throated hummingbird assumes a regal pose. Only the males actually have a red throat. This is the most common hummingbird species in the central and eastern parts of the US, and parts of southern Canada. Those areas compose its year-round range, although some birds winter in southern Mexico and central America. Hummingbirds in general are solitary. They are very territorial and do not migrate in flocks. (https://www.beautyofbirds.com/rubythroatedhummingbirds.html)

Humming Right Along

A hummingbird feeds on a zinnia blossum.

Microcosm

A diminuative butterfly works on a tiny field of Verbena flowers (Verbena bonariensis). I wonder if (s)he is aware of the big hulking monster with the camera...

Tagged

They tag butterflies. Who Knew? This monarch butterfly has been tagged by someone from the University of Kansas (USA). That little white sticker says: TAG@KU.EDU MONARCH WATCH 1-888-TAGGING KUJ 550 I notified Mr/Ms Tag, and attached this image to the email.

Resting

This tiny hummingbird is taking a rest on some disused flower stalks.

Scentropia Dark Blue (Heliotropium arborescens)

According to the little sign, this is a "fragrant heliotrope". They do smell nice, but I was most interested in the way the sunshine through the trees caused the little flowers to glow, seemingly with a light of their own.

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

With appologies to Eric Idle and all the other sophisticates who enjoy a good fart joke, the genus of this ubiquitous little plant really is Silybum. Milk Thistle has a long history as an herbal remedy, usually for liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, chemotherapy, Amanita phalloides (death cap) mushroom poisoning, jaundice, chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, or chronic hepatitis. Persons with allergies to the Asteraceae plant family (including ragweed) may find they are also allergic to milk thistle. See the Wikipedia article for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silybum_marianum

Touch Me Not (Impatiens capensis)

This strange little plant, also known as jewel weed, is great for attracting humming birds and butterflies. A decoction of the stems, leaves and flowers is an excellent antidote to poison ivy. The plant is called touch me not, because the seed pods "explode" when touched.

Bee's Eye View

This little honey bee is working his way through a patch of English Daisies (Bellis perennis), also known as lawn or common daisies.

Tickweed (Coreopsis)

I can't say for sure what species this is. Might be Coreopsis grandiflora. That yellow really pops when the sun hits it.

Cornflower and Cardinal Flower (Centaurea cyanus and Lobelia cardinalis)

The cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) is the blue one. It's also known as bachelor button. The red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis) is just starting. It will end up as an irregular flower cluster containing may individual blossoms. I found these two blooming in my back yard, and liked the bright colors of the two together.

Busy Bee

A honey bee takes on the enormous job of polinating a Hollow Joe-Pye Weed (Eupatorium fistulosum) in Blue Mound State Park, near Blue Mounds, Wisconsin (USA). Of course, to the bee, it's just lunch.

False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)

I saw this little flower along one of the trails at Blue Mound State Park in Southern Wisconsin.

Pollinator

A monarch butterfly attends to a bright red zinnia blossom against a diffuse light background.

Monarch and Cosmos

A monarch butterfly feeds on the nectar of a striking red and white cosmos against a blurred background.

Red Egyptian Starcluster (Pentas lanceolata)

A ball shaped, seriously red flower cluster. Individual blossoms are little trumpets, terminating in 5 pointed stars. Starcluster flowers can also be pink or white.

Red Sage (Lantana camara)

Orange, yellow and red flower clusters with leaves against a dark green background.

Gentian Sage (Salvia patens)

Sky blue flowers that look like little claws, on a blurred green background.

Purple Coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia)

purple coneflowers over a blurred green background.

Canna Lilly

A warm red canna lilly against a diffuse chartreuse background

Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia)

Bright orange petals with linear striations, and a brown and the yellow center of a Mexican Sunflower, over dark green leaves and stems in the near background, with a diffuse dark green far background.

Candy Apple Red Zinnia

A candy apple red zinnia with yellow gold reproductive parts against a blurred green background

Red cockscomb (Celosia cristata)

A deep red color, and brain-like whorls and meanders contrast with a blurred green background.

Dahlia

Magenta coloration at the tips and edges of the bountiful petals, fading to white on the interior surfaces, and some yellow near the center, over a blurred green background.

Turk's Lilly

Orange lilly with dark brown to black spots on a blurred dark green background

Lanceleaf Tickseed (Coreopsis lancelota)

Yelow or golden striated petals, over a blurred dark background.

Cock's Comb (Celosia argentea)

Bright red flower clusters against a background of green leaves.

Helianthus

This bright yellow flower is a relative of the giant sunflower. It's about 2 inches (5 cm) in diameter.

Daylilly

Subtle textures and colors in this single yellow daylilly blossom.

Hosta

These hosta blooms have a subtle purple color and a texture reminiscent of linen.

Open Wide

This is wild iris (Iris lacustris). It made me think of how it feels when the dentist gives my teeth a checkup.

In the Spotlight

This wild iris (Iris lacustris) just happened to be in a small patch of sunlight that made it contrast wonderfully from the background.

Light Play

I think this is a wild iris, possibly Iris lacustris. The light through the trees showed it quite beautifully.

Spring Beauty

This is a tulip, although I can't say exactly what variety. It has beautiful curled petals and a waxy texture. I saw it at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin (USA).

Bleeding Heart

This is Lamprocapnos spectabilis (bleeding heart) at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin (USA).

Tiny Tulip

This little beauty was just starting to open on a beautiful spring day at the Rotary Botanical Gardens in Janesville, Wisconsin (USA).

Spring Crocus (Crocus albiflorus)

I'm pretty sure these are albiflorus. They're a treat to see on a pleasant early spring day.

Daisy Fleabane

Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron annuus)

Good Morning Buttercup

This is the oxeye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum). It's a member of the aster family (Asteraceae).