As mentioned, one project this spring has been to photograph as many of the rare Michigan orchids as I can find. This morning it was the rare Showy Orchid (Cypripedium reginae), which occurs in our county, but is quite rare. This particular group of Showy Orchids is found in a very small micro-climate, a patch no larger than a 20 x 40 feet rectangle. There is abundant moisture, a little stream, and while not actually a bog, the area is almost bog-like.
In the early morning fog, driving to the area was difficult, and once I arrived, many mosquitoes were waiting for me. Crossing a slick makeshift bridge above a creek, I then walked on a ladder-like walkway which itself was very slippery. I had to be careful because I was carrying quite a lot of equipment: tripod, camera, three large lenses, messenger bag, and what-not.
These are magnificent flowers and all stages of the plant are strikingly beautiful.
