“Here's the thing about wildflowers; they take root wherever they are, grow strong through the wind, rain, pain, sunshine, blue skies and starless nights they dance, even when it seems there is nothing worth dancing for―they bloom with or without you.”
― Alisha Christensen
Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area is one of the finest prairie remnants in southern Wisconsin. Much restoration has been done over the years, but it provides one of the best examples of a dry-mesic prairie with over 100 native plants and wildflowers to admire and study. Every June I make at least one visit to see the Wood Lilies Lilium philadelphicum, and were they ever phenomenal today ― the most I've ever observed.
Two other favorites that were abundant today: Death Camus Zygadenus venenosus and Pale-Spiked Lobelia Lobelia spicata. Spiderwort decorated the northwest slope creating a color gradient against the lush green that slowly transitioned to the orange Wood Lilies ― quite stunning. Reflecting later, I don't spend as much time as I probably should photographing wildflowers. This is one of the cool things about Nature, though ― on this finite source (our planet), potential subjects seem virtually limitless.
All images © 2022 Mike McDowell