Wander, Explore, Hike, Renew

Meet the American Lady Butterfly 🦋

One of Wisconsin's most familiar butterflies is also one of its greatest travelers.The American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) is a common sight in meadows, prairies, roadsides, gardens, and other sunny open spaces throughout the summer. Along with its close relatives, the Painted Lady and Red Admiral, this beautiful butterfly has long puzzled scientists.For many years, naturalists believed that all three species survived Wisconsin winters by hibernating as adults. In fact, Butterflies of Wisconsin, published by Ebner in 1970, listed all three as overwintering here. Today, however, research suggests a different story. While there is still much to learn, most evidence indicates that American Ladies are unable to survive Wisconsin's harsh winters in significant numbers. Instead, our summer populations are thought to be replenished each year by butterflies migrating north from warmer regions.Because these migrations are still not fully understood, every observation helps researchers better understand when and where these butterflies appear.The American Lady can be recognized by its warm orange-and-brown wings with black markings near the tips of the forewings, a small white spot set within the orange field, and—perhaps its best field mark—two large eyespots on the underside of each hindwing. This distinguishes it from the similar Painted Lady, which has four smaller eyespots.The image showcases a vibrant butterfly perched on a cluster of round, white flowers in a lush green setting. The butterfly, displaying intricate patterns on its wings, features a combination of orange, brown, and cream colors with striking eye spots along its wings' edges. The flowers have a geometric shape, with individual blooms resembling small spheres covered in fine, hair-like structures. In the background, a blurred expanse of green foliage provides a soft contrast to the colorful butterfly and flowers. A small bee is also present, hovering near the flowers, enhancing the scene's natural, dynamic quality. … See MoreSee Less

🌿🥜 Brews & Botany is right around the corner! 🍻🌱

Did you know that some of Wisconsin's native plants have close relatives that help flavor some of our favorite beverages? As we count down to "Brews & Botany", we're highlighting plants that connect our local landscapes to drinks enjoyed around the world.Today's featured plant is the American Hazelnut (Corylus americana).This beautiful native shrub is a wildlife powerhouse! Its nutritious nuts are enjoyed by squirrels, foxes, deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, northern bobwhite, pheasants, and woodpeckers. Rabbits and deer browse its leaves and twigs, while its dense thickets provide valuable nesting cover for birds and other wildlife. It also serves as a host plant for numerous moths and butterflies, including the magnificent Polyphemus and Io moths.Its European cousin, the European Hazelnut (Corylus avellana), is the source of the familiar hazelnut flavor found in:☕ Coffee and lattes🥛 Creamy dairy-free hazelnut milk🥃 Hazelnut liqueurs like Frangelico🍫 Rich, nutty hot chocolateBut our native American Hazelnut isn't just for wildlife! With a little foraging (where permitted and done sustainably), its nuts can also be transformed into delicious homemade hazelnut milk. Award-winning Minnesota chef and forager Alan Bergo, better known as *The Forager Chef*, has a wonderful recipe that lets you experience the rich flavor of this native treasure for yourself.Check out his recipe here:foragerchef.com/hazelnut-milk/Want to discover more surprising connections between Wisconsin's native plants and your favorite beverages? Join us at Brews & Botany!The image displays a close-up view of hazelnuts still on the branch, enveloped partially by their delicate green husks. Two distinct nuts are visible, characterized by their round shapes and slight fuzziness. Surrounding them are various shades of green leaves, some with small, darker spots and textured veining. The background is softly blurred, allowing the focus to remain on the nuts and leaves. At the bottom, there's a transparent overlay with the text "Brews & Botany" and a graphic of a plant, suggesting a connection to botany or plant-related topics.Transcribed Text:Brews & BotanyThe plants behind your bevyLearn more and register here:www.wehrnaturecenter.com/event/brews-and-botany/#BrewsAndBotany #WehrNatureCenter #WisconsinNativePlants #AmericanHazelnut #NativePlants #Foraging #PlantBased #Pollinators #WildlifeHabitat … See MoreSee Less