Montana Outdoors

July 3, 2009

A new flower and an old friend.

Filed under: Flowers, Montana, Nature, Outdoors, Photography, Photos, Pictures, Wildflowers — montucky @ 7:03 pm

I’ve seen this plant for years and years but never before in bloom!

Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed

Showy Milkweed, Asclepias speciosa

29 Comments »

  1. What a beautiful flower! Lovely! Wow! Have never seen it before!
    And very nice shots! :)

    Comment by ViktoryiaN — July 3, 2009 @ 7:40 pm

    • Thank you, ViktoryiaN! The blossoms were a surprise to me, but a pleasant one. Thanks for stopping by!

      Comment by montucky — July 3, 2009 @ 10:34 pm

  2. That is stunning. Love your blog and photos!

    Comment by kateri — July 3, 2009 @ 7:42 pm

  3. Ooooh….look at that butterfly you captured! Wow!

    Comment by Stacey — July 3, 2009 @ 9:44 pm

    • There must be something special about these blossoms because they really attract butterflies. This one had a lot of patience.

      Comment by montucky — July 3, 2009 @ 10:36 pm

  4. The milkweed we have here in the Adirondacks is also known for it’s delightful scent. One of my favorite wildflowers. Too pretty to call a “weed!”

    Comment by Cedar — July 4, 2009 @ 4:27 am

    • They do have a strong and very pleasant scent. I don’t know why whoever named it used the “weed” part. The same with Fireweed.

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:02 pm

  5. I’m amazed at the variety of wildflowers you find in the mountains. And they are all so beautiful. I have a fear of hiking too far because of bears, mountain lions, lightning storms & flash floods…now that I write this down, I realize how much the media (news) has scared me away from the mountains around here! It’s a shame. But I’d love to see some of these flowers up close.

    Comment by Melissa — July 4, 2009 @ 8:34 am

    • Perhaps if you could get out a bit with someone who has a lot of experience in the woods you would learn to relax and enjoy it. Personally, I feel much more at home there than in a city; the dangers are really quite minimal.

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:07 pm

  6. these are beautiful photos of the “weed”. i’ve seen many, but none up this close. very nice captures, especially the tiger swallowtail.

    Comment by kcjewel — July 4, 2009 @ 9:43 am

    • I think they’re pretty too, now that I’ve actually seen them. They are at the peak of their bloom now and they are really attracting the insects, especially butterflies.

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:09 pm

  7. Showy indeed. Looks like a 4th of July weed :) Love the butterfly photo.

    Comment by Maureen — July 4, 2009 @ 9:53 am

    • I guess it is a 4th of July weed! A nice decoration for the holiday!

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:10 pm

      • Montucky, Could I have your email address? Thanks, Maureen

        Comment by Maureen — July 4, 2009 @ 4:54 pm

  8. Oh, wow, the 2nd one with the ants is so cool, so macro! But then the butterfly one is unbelievably beautiful!

    Comment by Candace — July 4, 2009 @ 10:48 am

    • Butterflies and blossoms: a hard combination to beat!

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:12 pm

  9. Great shots Terry !!

    Comment by Bernie Kasper — July 4, 2009 @ 12:19 pm

  10. So THAT’S what it looks like when it’s blooming. Very colorful for Independence Day.

    Malcolm

    Comment by knightofswords — July 4, 2009 @ 12:33 pm

  11. Gorgeous photos..

    Comment by SuzieQ — July 4, 2009 @ 1:10 pm

    • Thanks SuzieQ. Another new (to me at least) flower to look for this time of year.

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:15 pm

  12. Great captures of a side of a plant to which few pay attention.

    Comment by scienceguy288 — July 4, 2009 @ 1:41 pm

    • I sure haven’t paid much attention to it until now myself. I will from here on though.

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 2:16 pm

  13. Excellent series of images, Terry. Love the color, the detail, the dof and the friends. The swallowtail looks great! Nicely done, as always!

    Comment by edvatza — July 4, 2009 @ 6:54 pm

    • Thanks Ed. This plant has a lot going on with its size, number of blossoms, scent and apparently lots of nectar judging by the butterfly activity. Fascinating!

      Comment by montucky — July 4, 2009 @ 7:25 pm

  14. I’ve always loved milkweed and butterflies for as long as I can remember. :)

    Comment by Tabbie — July 5, 2009 @ 7:49 am

    • There are now lots of these in bloom down by the river where they seem to especially like the hot sand in full sun. They are butterfly magnets!

      Comment by montucky — July 5, 2009 @ 8:38 am


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