Rudbeckia, or Black-eyed Susan, with its showy multi-rayed yellow-orange flowers, is currently the most abundant flower in Catch the Wind. Mixed in with the Rudbeckia, look for the flowers of Butterfly Weed (Asclepia tuberosa), a favorite of many butterflies and other insects.

Elsewhere around the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind loop Daisy Fleabane, Queen Anne’s Lace, Showy Tick-trefoil, and down in the Wetlands, Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) are blooming. I spotted one small patch of Bergamot in bloom near the Red Wolf Exhibit. Within a week there should be many of these pink flowers blooming along the path to the main entrance to Catch the Wind.

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Trumpet Vine, or Trumpet Creeper, is displaying its long, red tubular flowers. Watch Trumpet Creeper for hummingbirds.

Pickerelweed is blooming in the U-shaped pond at Flap the Wings next to the Ornithopter.

And finally, Lotus is showing off its big pink and yellow flowers in the Wetlands. It’s difficult to miss these large flowers as you stroll around the Explore the Wild/Catch the Wind loop.