some bug spray might be a good idea

When I went to the Baker Wetlands last weekend, with the hope of spotting a snowy egret, I did not expect to see monarchs feasting on very unusual looking flowers.

After consulting my handy "Pocket Naturalist Guide for Kansas Wildflowers" my best guess is that they are Gumweed.  If you know differently please advise. 

I did spot some big white birds that I am fairly certain were snowy egrets, but they were too far away to get a decent picture of.   There was also this grey heron who posed for me, but only from a distance.  His mirrored reflection in the water was something to see. 

The sunflowers are going to be in full bloom out here very soon.  They are not the big giant sunflowers like you can see here.  Just a nice field of regular sunflowers. 

If you decide to visit, some bug spray might be a good idea.  Wetlands (standing water) means mosquitoes.  Oh and certainly don't wear your best tennis shoes, unless you want to wash them when you get home.  In which case, wear them for sure. 

Comments

[Jennifer]

I think the Monarchs were on Button Bush. :) I loved those photos!

[Emie]

Beautiful photos!!!

[Heidi Sue]

I just downloaded a free app on my iPhone, myGardenAnswers. You can take a photo of a flower or plant and it identifies it for you. Highly recommend!

[Carol]

Thank You Jennifer! I think you are exactly right 😄

[Diana]

The butterflies are actually viceroys, which are almost identical to monarchs, except for the black line going through each hindwing. Your photos of them are gorgeous, Carol.

[Caroline]

Whether Monarchs or Viceroys, they look elegant in black and orange. The rest of us look Halloweenish. Your photographs are lovely, as usual.

[Joan]

Lovely! The big gray bird is a Great Blue Heron. They can pose like that for extended periods of time, still as a statue!

Snowy Egrets are smaller than the Great Egret, Snowys have black bills and yellow feet, Greats have yellow bills and black feet. I love to see Snowys fly with those lovely yellow slippers trailing behind.

What an interesting flower that spikey little sputnik is and butterflies are stunning.