Mikes Everyday Wildlife

09/04/2026

It’s really hard to accommodate families without reservations…

09/03/2026

Variegated Fritillary - Whitley Co, IN

First time seeing them here on the property this year and there were a couple. I'm telling you, if you have space for a 5 foot tall plant, you really really need boneset. I had about 8 species of butterflies in about 5 min of looking.

They have a decent selection of host flowers but one that's in many yards and does okay with mowing, is the common blue violet. A couple other hosts include - mayapple, moonseeds, passionflowers, plantains and more.

09/02/2026

Good day for a Cooper’s hawk to just sit in the water and cool off as the humidity pushes the temps over 100 degrees today.

09/01/2026

Pink Turtlehead (Chelone obliqua)

09/01/2026

American Snout - Whitley Co, IN

Cell phone photo, not my typical way to share photos but whatever.

Late Boneset is going crazy right now with flies, bees, wasps and butterflies.

In 10 min outside I saw American snouts, monarchs, orange sulfurs, common buckeyes, silver-spotted skippers, pearl crescents and painted ladies.

08/31/2026

Brown-eyed Susan on today’s native plant spotlight

08/24/2026

08/23/2026

Tree Swallow - Allen Co, IN

Still to this day one of the most difficult shots I’ve ever taken. If you know swallows, you know how unpredictable they fly. It was a peaceful time, no one else in sight while I sat on the boardwalk with my arms shaking from holding up a 9lb camera forever just for one good shot 😂