Butterflies of Southern Indiana

It has once again been quite a long time since I posted any images to my blog. My life is just incredibly busy and trying to find the time has been tough. But I have captured so many butterfly images I thought it was about time to catch up.

The butterfly population started out on a slow pace due to the late freezes we experienced this spring but long about the middle of July things really exploded.

This round of butterflies were captured close to home here in Madison Indiana. We are so blessed to have so many quality habitats for both Butterflies and Wildflowers that it kinda makes it pretty easy to capture so many wonderful images.

Big Oaks NWR, Splinter Ridge FWA , Muscatatuck NWR and believe it or not the grounds around my place of employment Kings Daughters Health are rich in butterflies and wildflowers as well.

So sit back and take in the natural beauty that surrounds us here in the Madison Indiana area.

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  Monarch

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  Painted Lady

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  Monarch

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  Painted Lady

Clifty Falls Wildflowers…Trout Lily

Another great wildflower that grows in our area is the Trout Lily. Found in large clusters this beautiful little flower gets it’s name for the trout like pattern on the leaves of the newly emerging wildflower.

The trout lily sprouts and flowers in early spring, before new tree leaves grow. Plants grow from a white bulb that have a tooth-like shape. This wildflower will usually grow when underground rhizomes spread and form clusters or colonies. Mature plants also spread by seeds. Ants can scatter the seeds, eating part of the seed and leaving the rest to germinate. And some trout lily colonies can be 200 to 300 years old.

The plants are found in woodland habitats and moist hillsides the stamens can either be yellow or black and can be quite large for such a small plant. The Trout Lily is just another great example of all the wonderful wildflowers that are on display right now just waiting for you to view.

Madison in Bloom

Not only are the great wildflowers that grow thru out are natural area in bloom but the wonderful trees and flowers that line the streets and historic homes in Madison Indiana are starting to put on a show as well.

Madison has an amazing riverfront lined with many blooming trees especially the lovely cherry trees donated by Arvin Sango. The Lanier Mansion has wonderful blooming trees as well and other flowers that are now beginning to bloom.

So if you are looking for a weekend getaway to get outdoors and see some beautiful scenery give Madison a visit you won’t be disappointed.

Tunnel Falls

When you think of Indiana usually its basketball or corn fields that come to mind but in Southern Indiana there are an amazing number of large waterfalls that dot the canyons and gorges that lead into the Ohio River.

In Jefferson County there are over forty falls that are forty feet or bigger that call this area home. Clifty Falls has several large beautiful falls including Tunnel which is pictured here. Tunnel Falls is roughly 83 feet tall and fifteen feet wide and after an extended rainy period it can become quite the scene to behold.

With all the wildflowers and waterfalls our area has to offer Jefferson County can be quite the eco friendly place to come for a weekend trip to experience all the natural beauty.

Early Season Wildflowers

 

Here is a small gallery of the wonderful early season wildflowers that grace the canyons and woodlots of Jefferson County Indiana.

Going clockwise we have Bloodroot, Hepatica,Harbinger of Spring and Rue Anenome . All of these little gems can now be found blooming all across Southern Indiana and many other places across the Midwest.

There is not much in life that I enjoy more than wandering all the wild places that our home has to offer and attempt to capture and share the beauty of these amazing examples of the natural elegance that the spring bloom has to offer.

It doesn’t last long and it is something you really must witness in person. So get out of the house take a hike to one of the great natural areas we have here in Southern Indiana.