MDC encourages people to discover red, white, and blue in nature

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MDC Media Staff

Jill
Pritchard
Jill.Pritchard@mdc.mo.gov
Communications Manager
Commission Headquarters
(573) 751-4115
Ext: 3243
Joe
Jerek
Joe.Jerek@mdc.mo.gov
News Services Coordinator
Commission Headquarters
(573) 751-4115
Ext: 3362
Maddie
Est
Maddie.est@mdc.mo.gov
Metro Media Specialist
Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center
(573) 815-7900
Ext: 2919
Sara
Karnes
Sara.Karnes@mdc.mo.gov
Metro Media Specialist
Southwest Regional Office
(417) 895-6880
Ext: 1641
Makenzie
Williams
Makenzie.Williams@mdc.mo.gov
Metro Media Specialist
Southeast Regional Office
(573) 290-5730
573-290-5858
Ext: 4419
Dan
Zarlenga
Dan.Zarlenga@mdc.mo.gov
Metro Media Specialist
St. Louis Regional Office
(636) 441-4554
Ext: 4112
male indigo bunting
The deep blue male indigo bunting can be seen flying up from gravel roads.
MDC
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
1/3
Great egret
Great egrets are large, white herons with yellow bills and black legs and feet. They sometimes spread their wings to create shade for small fish, which they then catch and eat.
MDC
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
2/3
male summer tanager
Adult male summer tanagers are entirely red and easily seen as they forage for insects among bright green tree leaves in early summer.
MDC
Photo by MDC, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
3/3
male indigo bunting
The deep blue male indigo bunting can be seen flying up from gravel roads.
MDC
Great egret
Great egrets are large, white herons with yellow bills and black legs and feet. They sometimes spread their wings to create shade for small fish, which they then catch and eat.
MDC
male summer tanager
Adult male summer tanagers are entirely red and easily seen as they forage for insects among bright green tree leaves in early summer.
MDC
News from the region
Statewide
By
Joe Jerek
06/29/2026

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- With Independence Day coming up in July and other semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of the U.S.) celebrations, the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) encourage people to look for red, white, and blue in nature through a holiday hike, bird watching, backyard fun, fishing, and other outdoor activities.

MDC offers some suggestions to get started finding red, white, and blue in nature:

  • Red Royal Catchfly Flowers
  • Male Summer Tanagers
  • White Beard-Tongues or Foxgloves
  • White Great Egrets
  • Blue False Indigos
  • Male Indigo Buntings

Want more information on these and other Missouri plants and animals, including where to find them? Use the handy and helpful MDC online Field Guide at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide.

Need suggestions for outdoor adventures? Find Things to Do with MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities. Offerings include cycling on trails, backyard nature fun, birdwatching, fishing, camping, floating, outdoor cooking, hiking, hunting, nature photography, wildlife watching, and more.

Need to find Places to Go for outdoor adventures? Visit MDC online at mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/places.