Green Adder's Mouth Orchid

Every year Laura and I haunt the coastal barrens looking primarily for the Green Adder's Mouth Orchid. Last year we struck out completely and this year for the second year in a row we had no luck so we decided to expand our search. Sure enough we found some further north and higher up the slope, below the Chebucto Head Light. This orchid which is about the size of my thumb, and I'm no wrestler, has a flower head about the size of my thumb nail and flowers in late July and early August. It flutters in the wind so focusing is problematic. I am investing in a better, probably the best, macro lens so my photos will improve next year.

Green Adder's Mouth Orchid

Green Adder's Mouth Orchid Green Adder's Mouth Orchid

Green Adder's Mouth Orchid Green Adder's Mouth Orchid Green Adder's Mouth Orchid Green Adder's Mouth Orchid In our travels we ran across one Slender Lady's Tress's Orchid. Like the Green Adder's Mouth Orchid it has disappeared from the previous location. It is about the length and diameter of a pen.

Slender Lady's Tress's Orchid

Slender Lady's Tresses Orchid Slender Lady's Tresses Orchid Slender Lady's Tresses Orchid Slender Lady's Tresses Orchid

An orchid we did not expect to see on these windy slopes was the Little Club Spur Orchid. It grows in profusion among the other plants alongside Sandy Cove Road.

Little Club Spur Orchid

Little Club Spur Orchid

Yet another pleasant surprise was the Ragged Fringed Orchid. The climate on these slopes is much like the arctic, hence the local success of the Arctic Blueberry. The rare Arctic Blueberry is one of the reasons this area was declared a nature preserve.

Ragged Fringed Orchid

Ragged Fringed Orchid Ragged Fringed Orchid Ragged Fringed Orchid