Yesterday my husband and I got our nature fix at Columbia Bottoms Conservation Area. It is located in North St. Louis County at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. This was our first visit here as I had no idea that it was so close to our home!

The Conservation Department plants multiple areas with these beauties as a food source for the local birds, in particular mourning doves. However, it is becoming a popular photo op location. The flowers only last about ten days. Therefore they have staggered their seed planting to afford these breathtaking vistas through mid August.

It was bustling with many types of bees but I was able to safely get some pictures with my iPhone. It was hard to pick just one that captured the beauty we witnessed in person.