On our walk the other day, we noticed this Cardinal-flower down by the creek.  We looked for them on the trail, but saw none this year.  

 

My Wildflowers in Color book identified it as Lobelia cardinalis.  Most Lobelias are blue and purple;  this is the only red species.  It also says that it grows along streamsides, roadside ditches, in marshes and wet meadows.  Yep, that's exactly the habitat in which we have seen it.  

 

Look for Cardinal-flowers on your walks, especially in wet places.  It is blooming now.  

 

HAPPY GARDENING!!!