Some of the native wildflowers I photographed yesterday morning at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge were pretty clumps of blooming Green Antelopehorns.
Green Antelopehorns at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D500, f10, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Green Antelopehorns are milkweeds, and like other milkweeds, they are host plants for Monarch butterflies. I was tickled to stop and photograph this species of milkweed because I had read about them years ago. They have umbels of green to white flowers with purplish centers.
The flowers of the green Antelopehorns I photographed yesterday were more green than white.
Green Antelopehorns milkweed in bloom – Nikon D500, f10, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I did notice some insects and small butterflies in the blooming antelope horns, but I did not see any Monarchs on them. I believe the small butterfly seen on these flowering Green Antelopehorns is either a hairstreak or a blue. I can’t be sure because I never got enough of a good look at it.
Blooming Green Antelopehorns at Tishomingo NWR – Nikon D500, f10, 1/800, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
There appears to be at least 5 or 6 more milkweed species in this part of Oklahoma and I hope that I will find and photograph those too.
It is going to take some time for me to learn more about the trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that I will be seeing at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge and in the state of Oklahoma. I’m looking forward to photographing them along with the birds and wildlife at the refuge and beyond.
Exploring new areas and seeing new birds is very exhilarating. I’m excited by each trip into the field and every new experience.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my wildflower, shrub and tree photos.
Of course you are excited. New adventures and new discoveries await.
How incredibly cool! It would be interesting to learn how many insects use this specific plant.
https://www.fws.gov/story/2016-07/milkweed-more-monarch-butterflies