Botanicals et cetera

The Illinois Valley is a very special place for wildlife, including plants, trees, mammals, fish, insects, fungi. Many unique native and interesting introduced species of everything imaginable can be seen here.

How many of us have seen a Ceanothus Silk Moth? It's not unusual to find one in the early Spring, perched on the side of a building or edge of a sliding door. And yes, they are quite large and harmless. They seem to spend a day resting, get their bearings and fly off at sunset. An incredible creature!

Some plants are not native to this area, but they thrive here. The poppy above is an introduced species.

Wild irises appear abundantly in early Spring. The yellow variety is one color commonly seen, along with the more usual blues and purples.