When we were walking over Big Meadow along Skyline Drive last month, we came across this interesting plant. I have never noticed it before. Fortunately I was able to identify it when browsing through the images at Google Images. Sometimes when you describe what you are looking for in the subject line, you get lucky. It doesn't always work out that way but I was happy to find what I needed. According to this website here it is very toxic. When I read how toxic it does not sound very good at all. I'm glad I didn't touch it. Another reason why I keep my hands off when I go exploring.
Fly Poison
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There were plenty of thistles growing on the meadow that day.
I wanted to take a photo of the Silver-spotted Skipper on the Milkweed, but when I looked at the same photo later, I noticed it had company. It actually looked like a bee, but I've never seen a completely black one before. Or maybe it was the lighting.
Here is another bee that is more of a normal coloring, and his company is a little ant.
One more shot of the milkweed plant. This website shares how important Milkweed is to the Monarch Butterfly. It has a variety of the plants here and from what I saw, to pollinators in general. I believe the one I found is a Common Milkweed.
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A very educational post, Denise, and your photos are gorgeous. It is good that you didn't touch that plant!
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this poisonous flower in europe
ReplyDeleteVery lucky that you kept your hands to yourself. Look but don't touch is often safest isn't it? It is a pretty thing though.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing so much beauty!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice day, Frauke
Heisann... Have a very nice weekend ;:OD)
ReplyDeletegrea tpost and loved all the flowers and critter images
ReplyDeleteDenise, you are so right!
ReplyDeleteBei careful when you go to explore the nature. With my kids I definitely should know more about toxic plants.
Take care - Julia
Oh, my goodness...your photos of the flowers and bees are so so pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe toxic plant looks interesting - I expect wild things know not to east it!
ReplyDeleteI've never actually seen a black bee but have come across them recently on European blogs. Thanks for sharing this Denise....
Happy weekend!
Ruby
Lovely thistle and insects.. Never seen the first plant, seems, it's not in Europe. - Fly poison? Maybe a witch herb?
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend
Magnificas fotografias.
ReplyDeleteUm abraço e bom fim-de-semana.
Andarilhar
Wonderful photos Denise! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteWe're going to explore Skyline Drive for our anniversary. I will be sure not to touch that plant if I come across it. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteUp close that milkweed flower looks like a beautiful bouquet. Interesting black bee!
ReplyDeleteYowsa on the fly poison, who would think something so pretty could be so deadly... a lot of plants are that way. you did good to describe it well enough to find it... love the other flowers to and the bad news is that looks like a carpenter bee, they are all black and can make a big mess of a fence or house
ReplyDeleteThe milkweed is quite pretty.
ReplyDeleteIs that a bee or a spider? The black one?
ReplyDeleteIt has fuzzy legs. Do bees have fuzzy legs?
I know.... Look it up. :-)
The black one looks scary! Yes, from Michelle (at Ramblingwoods.com) I've learned that milkweed is an important plant for the Monarch butterfly! Beautiful series of photos, Denise! Have a great weekend and "see" you in a few days at Seasons:)
ReplyDeleteAnother great selection of photo's, the colour in them is lovely to see.
ReplyDeleteI do agree when out exploring a 'hands off' attitude can be good.
All the best Jan
Hi Denise, what a good job you kept away from the toxic plant. great image of the Silver-spotted Skipper and the Bee with the Ant is super. Have a good weekend. Regards John
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos, great advice to keep our hands off!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about the fly poison, that's quite scary.
ReplyDeleteYour milkweed images are lovely.
David and I used to drive Skyline to get to points south, and I love Big Meadow. I think its so great there are open areas along the Eastern Flyway for migratory birds and butterflies (thanks the FDR). I think ants and bes are enemies. maybe you found a new specoes of bee?
ReplyDeleteAs always your photos are fantastic !!
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend !
You wise approach to nature is to be emulated. Perhaps it is your respectful love of her that yeilds such nice photos to your eye, D
ReplyDeleteDenise, Fly Poison, an interesting find. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAnother stunning post. I love the close ups. The eyes of the skipper are amazing!! Thankyou for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the invite Denise, away from home at moment so it took a little while! Have a wonderful week :)
DeleteFabulous photos Denise!
ReplyDelete