Nodding

It was a windy day and the Wild Columbine was difficult to capture close up as they swung their heads widely in the wind. But in this quiet place between two dunes this specimen was nodding off in the sun silently showing off it's festive hat shaped bloom.  

Granny's Bonnets

Columbine is making quite the show this year in Northwest Indiana woods. A old, popular name for this wildflower was Granny's Bonnet. I can't really imagine a granny with such an extravagant hat.

Looks more like a crown for the May Queen to me....  

Wild Columbine

I just love finding these delicate little wildflowers in the dappled sunshine of the woods. The flowers hang from delicate stems that seem almost too thin to support the tiny crown like flowers.

Columbines are a native wildflower and butterflies and hummingbirds are said to love them.

Wild Columbine

Another wildflower that blooms in the Indiana Dunes in the merry month of May is the Wild Columbine. This flower hangs its blossom on a delicate stem. They can be found in a semi-sunny spot underneath trees.

The Columbine is widespread over North America and the world and is cultivated in other colors besides the wild red and yellow.

Even though they are poisonous, they were once used to make medicines for ailments as diverse as poison ivy, heart disease, diarrhea, and sore throats.

Columbines are hosts to at least one butterfly and one moth.

sources: http://www.monticello.org/http://www.illinoiswildflowers.info