Showy Milkweed with an ant on top – Nikon D500, f10, 1/1600, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I found some blooming Showy Milkweed in Morgan County high in the Wasatch Mountains two days ago and felt compelled to take images of these wonderful wildflowers. Showy Milkweed (Asclepias speciosa) is one of my favorite wildflowers of western North America. The pink flowers attract butterflies, bees, wasps, moths, beetles, hummingbirds and ants.
Very pale Showy Milkweed in bloom – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 640, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I came across a clump of Showy Milkweed that had ivory colored flowers instead of pink I wanted photos of the milkweed because the blossoms were so pale. Even in the mid-morning light these white flowering milkweeds seemed to glow.
Clump of Showy Milkweed flower buds – Nikon D500, f11, 1/1600, ISO 640, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There were clumps of milkweed that hadn’t started to bloom yet and I took photos of the flower buds on those. Both the leaves and the flower buds looked soft and fuzzy through my lens.
Showy Milkweed bouquet – Nikon D500, f11, 1/2000, ISO 640, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I picked a great day to photograph these Showy Milkweeds because all of the blossoms looked like they had just opened. Not one was wilted from the summer heat.
Blooming Showy Milkweed with two ants – Nikon D500, f11, 1/2500, ISO 640, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I didn’t see any butterflies flying to or landing on the milkweeds but I did find a few ants crawling on them. It was fairly breezy by the time I got to the milkweeds and that may be why I didn’t find any butterflies nectaring from them.
Finding and photographing these Showy Milkweeds in perfect condition thrilled me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.
How very, very beautiful.
I have not seen as many bees, wasps, flies or butterflies on the wildflowers this year. I wonder if the lack of blooms last year due to drought made a difference this year in insect numbers. We had more moisture this spring and there are more flowers.
They are so pretty!
I came across a patch while on a bike ride on a woodsy trail. Nearly fell of my bike, the perfume was so intoxicating!
Thanks for these images.