Late summer on the prairie has its own special character.

The wildflowers are starting to give way to tall grasses like big bluestem. Warm season grasses, like native prairie grasses, mature later in the season, giving wildflowers a chance to shine first.

One highlight of this summer was a visit from the Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. Some of the members are framed by big bluestem at right.

Above: A monarch butterfly stops for nectar on a spike of prairie blazing star..

Top: Visitors are framed by tall grasses at Anderson Prairie. In late summer, tall grasses assume dominance. Above: Caterpillars of the Io moth feed on the leaves of white wild indigo.

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