Wildflowers that have colonized an old drainage ditch surrounded by fields of corn and soybeans in the middle of nowhere -
Bottle brush bush
Butterfly, bee, and moth
Swamp milkweed

A river of Red Lobelia
Clover and a prairie grass

Second part of expedition, woods around a lake in a state park -
Queen Anne's Lace
Thistleville
Bumblebees and a Bumblebee mimic, the Snowberry Clearwing (moth).

New York Ironweed White snakeroot Rudbeckia
Pokeberry Dogwood Grape
Teasel Hedgeapple

and a couple from garden
Snooth Aster Downy Skullcap American Bellflower
New England Aster

Thank you for sharing those pictures... I will look a bit more closely when I walk out in the wilds

J, I missed this post earlier; you have a world of wildflowers nearby! How beautiful. Your descriptions just make them more beautiful.

I'd like to see it again as it settles into fall and winter; is it left in its natural state so the birds and wildlife can enjoy it?

The pokeberries look pretty! Takes me back to my old PokeSallit days with Aunt Bett, and drawing on rocks with the juice of the berries. Do you know how long pokeberry juice stains last? Whew!

Sharon, The locale whereof you inquire is indeed left relatively wild through all seasons, every once in a while a tractor mounted mower is utilized to keep the foot paths accessible.
I think I read somewhere about the pokeweed's stainibility, but not about it's stainibility sustainibility.

Returned to said site yesterday, on a quest to find evidence of Monarch migration; last year and the year before found massive gatherings of Monarchs at this locale; so far, just a few Monarchs...however, the wild stands of Goldenrod do attract a fair amount of different butterflies.

Buckeye Painted Lady Monarch Hairstreak

Some other wild flowers encountered on expedition -
Sawtooth Sunflower Smartweed Thistle

Rudbeckia Prairie Grasses - red gold

Horse Nettle Moth Mullein Boneset

Bidens Heath Aster Queen Anne's Lace

Fleabane Wood Sorrel Ironweed

Tick Trefoil Evening Primrose Partridge Pea

Feels like I'm there. I love your words, J. I can assure you of the stainability's sustainability. Think very nearly permanent.

I haven't seen some of those plants in such a long time, made me remember the time when I didn't enjoy my third grade teacher and I stuffed my mouth full of smartweed so I would be so much smarter than she was. Do you know it tastes much like a mouth full of pepper. Feels like it too.

And goldenrod. Seems like my goldenrod might not bloom. I never knew it to succumb to drought, but drought plus too many 110 degree days might have made a difference in its growth pattern. Who knows, my wisteria is blooming even right along with producing seed pods right now. Times they are a'changin'.

Beautiful photos, what a lovely place to be. I'm glad they leave it au naturale all seasons.
Thank you!

What vivid colors, blue sky, and lovely flowers. Even the thistles and other wild grasses are gorgeous.

Loved the flutterbys of course

I know I will be visiting this page for a walk or two during the snowy months. I putting the star on it now!

Thanks for sharing more of your wild country. Well done!!

Came back and this page is still very relevant and a treat for the eyes and the soul.

@jmorth I have never been to the wildflowers forum before! What a walk through the natives for you as well as for us.
I have ironweed growing in my yard occasionally and it is such a thug, but the butterflies love it so I let it stay. I just can't make the transition to thistle though.

Glad you were able to check out the wildflowers here @Kabby. I hope to resume posting here again, the sooner the better.
I once tried thistle in the garden due to it's insect aviator appeal, but won't try that again. Too risky.

I have, and will continue to cultivate American Bellflower, Maximilian Sunflower, Great Blue Lobelia, Downy Skullcap, Blackberry Lily, wild blue Phlox, Goldenrod, Dame's Rocket, and my most favorite, the New England Aster.

I'm taking note of the ones you mentioned above, I'm doing my first wintersow. So I have a few, on your nature walk you mention Buttonbush. I have some seed but they are antiquated but I had one germinate!
I hope to have many host and nectar plants this yr.

What lovely photos. And a treat to see Sharon again, kind of a jolt from the past!

Butterflies love thistle flowers, and it has never been a problem for me.