SpringBrook Prairie in July

July 6, 2018

Springbrook Prairie is a 1,829-acre, restored prairie in Naperville, Illinois. The prairie includes nature areas and several recreational areas, including an airfield for model airplanes. I took these pictures near the airfield. There were no model airplanes to photograph. Also we saw few birds or bugs. Maybe next time.

Purple Coneflowers

Purple coneflowers were abundant on the prairie. In northern Illinois, these flowers are popular with gardeners and photographers. It was fun seeing so many of them “living in the wild”. Photographers like them because of their bright gaudy colors. My goal is to shoot the ultimate purple coneflower picture. Not there yet, but below are several credible attempts.

Springbrook Four trees and a coneflower
Springbrook Purple coneflower in full bloom
Springbrook Purple coneflower about to bloom
Springbrook Purple coneflower about to bloom

Black Eyed Susans

Black Eyed Susans were also abundant, but not as showy. While researching botany for this page, I discovered that Black Eyed Susans are also coneflowers. And coneflowers are related to daisies. These flowers seemed to be just a bit past their prime.

Springbrook A hill topped with Black Eyed Susans
Springbrook Black Eyed Susans blown in the wind. They looked like they were dancing.