Wild Flowers

Forest preserves are always worth a look for a photographer with an open mind and an active eye. Be the preserve large or small, famed or unknown, out on a major road or back off the beaten path, every preserve has little gems such as these wildflowers to delight the eye.

Other Wildlife to Watch

Everyone thnks, of course, that a wildlife center will feature animals. Willowbrook does so. But does any wildlife center not also feature wildflowers? Willowbrook does that as well. In other words, both subdivisions of biology -- zoology and botany -- are important.

Spring brings out the best of the color palette as well. The bright red of the Columbine catches every eye, but many other flowers fill the scene all spring and most of the summer and fall.

More birds in the next post.

Wildflowers

Lovers of the outdoors generally love flowers. Many plant lovers spend hours and a

considerable portion of the landscape budget on annual flowers, which by definition must be replaced yearly.

St. James Farm has the beauty of its buildings, of course, and its trees and the allees formed by several of the trees. But the flowers, while not planted in massive drifts or in any way set into a showy display, certainly add that touch of spice to the wonder of the visit. Wildflowers have a classic beauty of its own, and whether in small plants or on large bushes, they provide beauty year after year. Here are a few in bloom this spring at St. James.