Sunday, July 19, 2015

Mid July Wildflowers

 Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea maculosa)

Here are three wildflowers blooming in central Ontario now.

Spotted knapweed may be pretty but it is also a villain. It tend to spread quickly and outcompete indigenous wildflowers.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata)

The name says it's blue but I say it's purple. What do you think?

 Elecampane (Inula helenium)

Elecampane usually grows in shady places. FYI: According to legend, elecampane grew where Helen of Troy's  tears fell when Paris abducted her.

Evidence that local ducks are moulting

Not a flower, you are correct. But it is nature!
 Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES. 

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47 comments:

  1. ADRIANJuly 19, 2015 at 5:01 AM

    Perfect, DOF is just as I like it.

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  2. The CrankyJuly 19, 2015 at 5:18 AM

    All of these are considered useful herbs, as well as invasive species. Elecampane is one of my favourites; it's so helpful for skin conditions!

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  3. BlogorattiJuly 19, 2015 at 5:22 AM

    Wonderful photos and thanks for sharing!

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  4. Stewart MJuly 19, 2015 at 5:47 AM

    Helen of Troy must have travelled a lot more than some histories suggest then!

    Nice pictures.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  5. Lois EvensenJuly 19, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Beautiful!

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  6. GigaJuly 19, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    They are nice, but sorry that dominate the native flowers. Greetings.

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  7. KathyJuly 19, 2015 at 7:19 AM

    I agree. It's definitely purple. There seems to be a common disagreement between certain people, one group who believes a certain flower is blue and another who believes it is purple. There must be some small difference in color perception. Remember the controversy a few months back over whether a dress was black and blue or gold and white?

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  8. KateJuly 19, 2015 at 7:28 AM

    Wildflowers should be good for attracting bees.

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  9. AnvilcloudJuly 19, 2015 at 7:40 AM

    The Blue Vervain certainly looks purple in this photo. I may have a recent pic too. I should see if it also looks purple.

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  10. AndyJuly 19, 2015 at 8:07 AM

    The Ontario weather this summer has been good for plants. Just enough light and just enough rain.

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  11. William KendallJuly 19, 2015 at 8:28 AM

    They certainly are pretty!

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  12. eileeninmdJuly 19, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    Beautiful, I love the pretty purples! Happy Sunday!

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  13. LoisJuly 19, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    Very pretty! I think the Blue Vervain looks more like a dark lavender.

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  14. VPJuly 19, 2015 at 9:12 AM

    Another amazing set of beautiful flowers... minus one.

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  15. BirdmanJuly 19, 2015 at 9:15 AM

    Love that feather on water.

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  16. MadSnapperJuly 19, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    we are molting here today but not the ducks... the color of that first flower is gorgeous.. these are happy photos today

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  17. Yogi♪♪♪July 19, 2015 at 9:52 AM

    Beautiful, I'm the last one to tell certain shades of blue from certain shades of purple. I used to pick the wrong colors all the time in grade school.

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  18. JoJuly 19, 2015 at 9:58 AM

    Excellent photography, Tina! I especially loved the feather in the last shot. Have a great day. Jo

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  19. JennyJuly 19, 2015 at 10:03 AM

    Yesterday, I was out taking pictures of vervain and elecampane!The vervain is definitely purple. I found in real life it is a very deep purple which my camera didn't capture at all. I really like the shape of the elecampane that grows almost to 5'. Very striking. Lots of knapweed in our neck of the woods. Pretty but very invasive.

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  20. Sylvia KJuly 19, 2015 at 10:49 AM

    Superb, colorful captures of exquisite flowers and what a beautiful way to start my day -- you are VERY GOOD at just that, every day!! Enjoy yours and have a great new week!!

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  21. MontanagirlJuly 19, 2015 at 11:23 AM

    Very beautiful wildflowers - and I agree, It looks purple to me too.

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  22. cieldequimperJuly 19, 2015 at 12:41 PM

    Sigh... so pretty! I love centaurées. And the verbena looks wonderful but is it the herbal tea one?

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  23. Amy at love made my homeJuly 19, 2015 at 12:51 PM

    Beautiful flowers! xx

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  24. RedPatJuly 19, 2015 at 2:20 PM

    It's such a pretty time of year - but soooo hot today, EG! Lovely flowers and feather!

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  25. Ruth HiebertJuly 19, 2015 at 3:00 PM

    Blue??? Vervain? I say purple,but then I didn't name it. I love seeing the wild flowers. Yes,even a fallen feather is beautiful.

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  26. Linda W.July 19, 2015 at 4:42 PM

    Pretty flowers and nice photos.

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  27. JackJuly 19, 2015 at 5:04 PM

    You do such a fine job with your close-ups of the natural world. The first image really grabbed me, even if it is invasive.

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  28. barbara l. haleJuly 19, 2015 at 6:22 PM

    Isn't it a shame that some of the most beautiful wildflowers are also invasive and really don't belong? Your photos are so beautiful!

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  29. barbara l. haleJuly 19, 2015 at 6:22 PM

    Isn't it a shame that some of the most beautiful wildflowers are also invasive and really don't belong? Your photos are so beautiful!

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  30. UnknownJuly 19, 2015 at 6:30 PM

    Lovely pictures and so knowledgeable with all those names...

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  31. CloudiaJuly 19, 2015 at 7:44 PM

    I want to name this color "Vervain"

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  32. Sallie (FullTime-Life)July 19, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    Definitely purple Tina. I like all three wildflowers. But do realize some are annoying pests. Admire your knowledge as well as your photo. skills!

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  33. GreenComotionJuly 19, 2015 at 10:42 PM

    The flowers are so beautiful.
    Indigenous v. invaders is an interesting problem.
    I love the solitary feather too.
    Have a Wonderful Day, Tina!
    Peace :)

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  34. RoanJuly 19, 2015 at 10:52 PM

    Each is a beauty. I especially like the second shot with the colorful background.

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  35. RandyJuly 19, 2015 at 11:45 PM

    Such beautiful blooms.

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  36. Margaret Birding For PleasureJuly 20, 2015 at 3:21 AM

    ALL STUNNING IMAGES

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  37. RoseJuly 20, 2015 at 9:20 AM

    Some very beautiful pics here, EG. The flower are beautiful in and of themselves, but the lighting really shows off that beauty.

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  38. AnnemorJuly 20, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    I think it looks purple, but, that might not be the true color.
    Lovely set of pictures.
    Have a nice day.
    Mormor

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  39. Andrea @ From The SolJuly 20, 2015 at 4:02 PM

    I love wildflowers and interesting that yours are almost all different than what we have blooming at the moment. I see purple flowers as well. There must be just a fine line of difference because I frequently see purple when people say blue. Is it me or is it them ... hmmm. These are beautiful flowers, Tina would love to have them blooming here as well.

    Andrea @ From the Sol

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  40. JanieJuly 20, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    I call it purple.
    Lovely wildflowers, and duck observation.

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  41. betty-NZJuly 20, 2015 at 10:49 PM

    I am loving these great colors! I guess the names depend of where you are from and what you are trying to describe.

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  42. AnonymousJuly 20, 2015 at 11:19 PM

    Beautiful flowers!

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  43. KayJuly 21, 2015 at 12:53 AM

    I wonder if I've seen any of these and just didn't notice them. Blue Vervain definitely looks purple to me! These are all nice shots but I especially like the feather.

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  44. IndraniJuly 21, 2015 at 2:55 AM

    Love the focus in these. Very beautiful colors framed.

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  45. OhmydearestsJuly 21, 2015 at 4:13 AM

    wonderful shots! yes, soon it will be autumn on your side of the world...

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  46. NatureFootstepJuly 22, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    the light enhances all of them. The one you call Spotted Knapweed, we mostly have the blue one.

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  47. Rambling WoodsJuly 25, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    I take out the knapweed whenever I see it. We have vervain that we planted and it is blooming... I love to learn about the wild flowers Tina.. Michelle

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