Showy Lady's-slipper and Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchids

Beth McGee and I visited the Showy Lady's-slipper Orchids on Thursday morning July 2. The morning was rainy with light fog at Portuguese Cove but all was well when we arrived at Smiley's Provincial Park although the overcast sky and deep woods forced me to use flash photography which I usually regret. This time was no exception. My photographs lost a lot of detail due to the white glare of the flash. Unfortunately flash diffusers do not help much and I came without one anyways. Also, many of the orchids were still closed and mostly white themselves which further complicated the issue. I had hoped that the orchids would catch up with their season but they are at least a week late this year. I will have to return in a few days.

Beth had not seen the Showy Lady's-slipper Orchids before so this display was quite the treat for her. She also had not seen the Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid. I expected all the yellows to be finished by then but I took her to the gysum lands of West Hants County anyways and we lucked out and found a few of the Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchids still in decent form in a few shady places. The Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid was long gone where it bloomed in the full sun three weeks ago.

Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid

Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid

Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid

Yellow Lady's-slipper Orchid

Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid Showy Lady's-slipper Orchid

The Gypsum Land's Forest

Gypsum Forest