Common Milkweed and Butterfly Weed (a type of milkweed) have been two of my favorite wildflowers for a long time. Both species are blooming and about to bloom all around the property, and will continue throughout the summer. These plants are essential for Monarch butterflies to thrive, but unfortunately, Monarchs have been declining due to habitat loss. So seeing vast patches of Milkweed is a welcome sight! Monarchs lay their eggs on the underside of these leaves, eat only milkweed, and besides being essential to monarchs, these native plants support a variety of other insects as you will see below.
Not pictured, but observed: Eastern Kingbird nestlings doing a begging call on the lower terrace, and then an Eastern Kingbird parent flying in with grub. There were a couple Eastern Comma butterflies that would never quite land long enough for a photo, and seemingly a family of Eastern Cottontail Rabbits crossing trails.
New wildflowers are blooming all over the Center. Next time you visit Schlitz Audubon, count how many different plant species are blooming on the short walk from the parking lot to the main building!
Snowberry Clearwing, Hemaris diffinis, is part of the Sphingidae family, commonly known as sphinx moths. These Snowberry Clearwing could be mistaken for bumblebees, or even a hummingbird!
Milkweed Beetle, Tetraopes tetrophthalmus at the Center.
A patch of Butterfly Weed with Monarch Caterpillars. Can you count how many caterpillars are hiding in this photo?
Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, leaves at the Center. The underside of the leaves is where Monarchs will lay their eggs.
Monarch feeding at Schlitz Audubon.
Butterfly Weed with Monarchs. Pale Purple Coneflower is also seen in the background.
Wild Bergamot, Monarda fistulosa, another native flower that is blooming in large numbers.
Agrimony blooming near Mystery Lake.
Red Baneberry, Actaea rubra, can be found on the walk down to Lake Michigan, and along the lower terrace.
