Slender lady's tresses: Spiranthes lacera var. gracilis

The slender lady's tresses started blooming about a week ago at the Main Prairie. These flowers are fairly abundant this year.  I would estimate a total of 20 to 30 flowering stems are blooming throughout the Main Prairie.

Before today I have never seen butterflies utilizing spiranthes for nectar.  Pictured above is a pearl crescent butterfly.  In this same area I spotted 2 small hairsteak butterflies which were also actively feeding on this orchids flowers.

Stiff goldenrod: Solidago rigida

The stiff goldenrod and gray goldenrod populations at the Main Prairie are responsible for the prairies current color scheme.