I was really excited yesterday to spot some Pink Lady’s Slippers (Cypripedium acaule), a type of native orchid, while exploring in Prince William County. Last year I saw some for the first time in the wild and managed to find the same spot again this year. When I posted the first photo in Facebook a number of people noted that it brought back memories of their childhoods.
Happy May Day. There are a lot of different types of celebrations on this day throughout the world, many devoted to celebrating spring. Best wishes to you all however you choose to celebrate this day, perhaps with a walk in the woods to discover or re-discover hidden treasures like these little orchids.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
What a special find! Thank you for sharing, Mike.
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Thanks, Mitzy. I don’t know how common they are, but it is really a wonderful surprise when I can find something like this in the woods.
Our favorite flower to hunt in the Smoky Mountains! May have to go out here in Ohio and see if we can find one today?
I was pretty lucky last spring when some hikers told me they had seen some and I managed to find them, even though they had given me only general directions. Good luck in your search for them, Molly.
Nice Mike! Enjoyed seeing them! You never know what you will come across in the woods!
Thanks, Reed. That is one of the reasons why I try to remain alert and ready. I enjoy walking about so much that I have trouble remaining in a single spot, which is one of the reasons why I have resisted the temptation to buy one of the giant lenses that are pretty awkward and heavy to carry into the kinds of places that I like to visit.
I find it one of the most beautiful orchids we can find in Europe. Once I’ve found some in Switzeland during a mountain hike. Ever since I didn’t see any more.
Great photography Mike.
Enjoy the weekend,
Rudi
Thanks, Rudi, for all your support and encouragement. I never know for sure which animals, birds, insects, and flower are common where you love and where I live and which ones are unique to our locations.
Isn’t it amazing the types wild flowers that can be found 😃😃.
It definitely is amazing how many things are out there in the wild. I somethings think that we barely scratch the surface with what we manage to see in photograph.
Gorgeous!!
Thanks, Jazz.
Beautiful captures, Mike. Such a pretty orchid!
Thanks, Eliza
May Day is my birthday. ☺️ And you know how I love wildflowers. ☁️🌼💚🌸☁️
Wow. A belated happy birthday, Laura. Wildflowers are special and ones like these orchids are especially special. 🙂