With the recent rains followed by very warm weather the crop of wildflowers has been abundant and varied. Driving down our country road is always beautiful and made even more so by a fringe of color along the shoulders. I just hope the "bush hogs" (mowers) don't come by anytime soon. Here are some photos I took yesterday:
The Mimosa tree is probably not a typical wildflower, though these large frond-leafed trees add exquisite colors when found in a cluster of greenery. From a distance the blooms look like yellow and pink oriental fans. Up close one can see that they are feathery. This particular tree was alive with butterflies and bees. The delicate beauty of these trees gives way to sticky seed pods, prompting owners' complaints about the mess. I don't have one of these trees, but bring on the sticky seed pods! I would love to sit on the deck with a nice cool mimosa drink and gaze at the exotic tree of the same name.
The Queen Anne's Lace has been particularly prolific this year. Many of the plants have reached four feet tall and I found flowers as large as six inches across. The hundreds of tiny flowers emerge from a rather ugly, thistle like pod. The deep purple flower in the center is actually sterile and serves no purpose from a reproductive aspect. But what a beautiful curiosity!
Of course the wild daisies are always a cheerful patch of white and yellow alongside the road. These are the larger variety and were growing near a patch of the tiny, more delicate variety.
This busy bee was nearly as large as the flower and he quickly moved from one to another. I don't know what the flower is, but the larger blooms are gorgeous! I love taking macro photographs to see what secrets these treasures hold.
Added 6/24: The blue flower is "Blue Chickory" which is often cultivated for its leaves to put into salads and the roots which are baked and ground as a coffee substitute.
This is just a sampling of the wildflowers along the country roads here in southwest Missouri, as well as across the state. Driving the curves and hills of our rural roads requires a great deal of attention and care, so I try to be a passenger often so I can take in the beauty of the shoulders.
Our creator provided us with amazing sights. All we have to do is to look and take it all in! And it is all FREE!
What do you see when you look closely at a wildflower?
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