In the Meadow ... late June 2021

 

 

 Soapwort
Saponaria officinalis
Pink family (Caryophyllaceae)

Also called Wild Sweet William, and a bunch of other names.  We planted this a couple of years ago late in the season, this is the first year that it bloomed.  At the time, we were told this was a native wildflower; now we know better.  Since this is not a native plant, it will soon be relocated out of the Meadow.

 

Purple Prairie Clover
Dalea purpurea
Bean family (Fabaceae)

https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ppr_cloverx.htm 

In the beds outside the Meadow, at the south entrance.

 

Butterfly Milkweed
Asclepias tuberosa
Milkweed family (Asclepiadaceae)

https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/btf_milkweedx.htm

Also at the south entrance to the Meadow

 

A Bird in the Bush - a resident of the Meadow

This one you have to know what you're looking at.  Notice the birdhouse on the left, then look slightly lower in the branches on the right and there's a small bird.  We put the birdhouse up about 3 years ago, this year there is a nest in the birdhouse, and that little bird will scold anyone who lingers too long near the tree.

Anyone know what species the bird is?  I've been told it's a wren.