Karner Blue where are you?

Wildflowers are sprinkled in the woods and fields to bring joy to our lives. The sweet Columbine!

Lupine is a true treasure to seek. The rare Blue Karner Butterfly feasts from its pockets, I have yet to see one.

The Karner blue butterfly is a federally endangered species living in a narrow band from eastern Minnesota to New Hampshire. Wisconsin is home to the largest and most widespread populations. As a larvae (caterpillar), they feed on only one plant wild lupine (Lupinus perennis). Lupine grows in dry sandy soils with full to partial sun. As a butterfly, the Karner blue feeds on just about any wildflower available. The more flowers the better the habitat is.

But for today, we’ll have to settle for a different winged creature.

And a spider.

a bandit and wild orchids

I’m always delighted to find a patch of this Wisconsin wildflower. The pink ladyslipper (Cypripedium acaule) is one of Wisconsin’s wild orchids.

There’s a wayside near Necedah where they grow, I’ve yet to find them in other areas - but maybe someday.

They're a rather large orchid, maybe the size of an Iris. . .

A little further down the road this raccoon crossed our path.

He crossed the ditch and came out wet on the other side. “Bye Bandit!”

and still further down the road I found a field of blue. Lupine is very important to the endangered Karner Blue Butterfly - I tried to find the butterfly, but all I found was lupine. Someday though I will see one!