Zebra Swallowtail

Another awesome butterfly captured at Big Oaks NWR in Madison Indiana. This is one of my favorite butterflies not because of their beauty or elegance but because of their aggressive nature.

As an example last year I was sitting in a lawn chair photographing great spangled fritillaries on butterfly weed at Splinter Ridge FWA in southern Indiana. The plant was covered with the fritillaries but this one beat up zebra would fly in and run off every other butterfly on that plant and even took aim at me a couple times flying right up into my face just daring me to do something !!

So even though they are one of the most beautiful and unique butterflies that grace our local fields and woodlots it is their fighting spirit that really makes them one of my favorites !!

Thanks for stopping by and having a look.

Fire Pink

Fire Pink is another great wildflower that grows here in the Madison Indiana area. The red petals of the Fire Pink are one of the most striking and vivid colors in nature.

Fire pink grows in open woods and rocky deciduous slopes in eastern North America, ranging as far north as southern Canada. It is protected as a state endangered species in Wisconsin and Florida, and as a state threatened species in Michigan.

Fire pink’s principal pollinator is the ruby-throated hummingbird, which is attracted by the flowers bright red petals and sugary nectar

If you are looking to view this great flower try driving county roads on the eastern side of Jefferson County. Look for dry rocky slopes. Splinter Ridge FWA is one the better areas to see this beautiful wildflower.

The flowers bright red blooms are not hard to spot and are always a great find when searching for wildflowers. Thanks for stopping by and having a look !!

Virginia Bluebells

One of my favorite native wildflowers that grow here in the Madison Indiana area. The blue of a fresh blooming bluebell is one of the most beautifully striking colors in nature and one that must be seen close up. Adding in the lovely contrasting purple colors make this an extremely lovely sight to behold.

So if you get a chance try hiking thru some of the amazing gorges and hillsdies that line the Ohio River here in Southern Indiana and take a closer look at this little gem !!

First Wildflowers of the Year

Hepatica

Bloodroot

Dutchman Breeches

Rue Anemone

Here are few wildflower shots from Clifty Falls State Park this spring, if you want to call it spring. This year has seen one of the worst blooms that I can remember rain, cold and snow have made it miserable and as of now I see no let up in sight.

Hopefully within the next couple weeks things will turn around and maybe I can get some quality photos of the beautiful wildflowers that our area has to offer.

The Madison Indiana area has a multitude or great spots to view wildflowers. Clifty Falls State Park, Splinter Ridge and Big Oaks NWR are just but a few of the great places to find the many diverse specimens of wildflowers that the Midwest has to offer.

Painted Lady

Another example of one of the many diverse species of butterflies that live here in the Madison Indiana area. This one was photographed at Big Oaks NWR near Madison Indiana a couple weeks back. This year has seen an incredible number of painted ladies in the area which has been an unexpected surprise.

This is actually the first year I have ever even saw one in the wild before so it has been a pleasure chasing them around.

One of my new favorite butterflies the distinctive patterns and colors of this great little butterfly are always a great find when searching for butterflies in the fields and woodlots of southern Indiana.

Thanks for stopping by and having a look !!