photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Tom Nelson | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Western Great Lakes Orchid Trip (July 2010) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Western Great Lakes Orchid Trip (July 2010)

In July 2010 the Nelson family - Tom, Jackie, Johanna (age 11) and Christina (age 7) - accompanied by Long Island botanist and good friend Eric Lamont, spent 3 weeks hunting wild orchids in the western Great Lakes and southern Manitoba region. 2010 was a very mixed-up season, with the waters of Lake Superior reaching the highest temperatures ever recorded and record rainfall in Manitoba producing unprecedented hordes of mosquitoes. The blooming season was 2-3 weeks early; hence several of the much sought-after "trophy species" that we had traveled so far to see were past bloom. But all was not in vain; as the images below demonstrate, many beautiful later-blooming species were encountered and studied. And of course, the scenery was spectacular!

A trip like this would be impossible without a lot of help. Much thanks to the following people for assistance in the field and/or site directions: Cathy Bloome and Kathleen Garness (Wis); Robert Freeman (Minnesota); Richard Reeves (Manitoba); Adam Cousins and Warren Mazurski (Sleeping Giant Provincial Park, Ont); Al Menk and Steve Baker (Upper Penninsula of Michigan); and Scott Shriver, who provided us with very precise maps and directions.

The gallery is set up as a "photo-journal" which tells the story of the trip through photos.

Enjoy!

Tom
(1-15) Our first stop (7/4/10) was at a nature preserve in Wisconsin to see the endangered Platanthera leucophaea
(1-15) Our first stop (7/4/10) was at a nature preserve in Wisconsin to see the endangered Platanthera leucophaea		 2) Platantera leucophaea (eastern praire fringed orchid)
2) Platantera leucophaea (eastern praire fringed orchid)		 3) P. leucophaea
3) P. leucophaea		 3a) P. leucophaea
3a) P. leucophaea		 4) P. leucophaea
4) P. leucophaea		 5) P. leucophaea
5) P. leucophaea		 6) P. leucophaea
6) P. leucophaea		 7) P. leucophaea showing long spurs.
7) P. leucophaea showing long spurs.
P. leucophaea. Originally slated to be a housing development, this remnant prairie was lovingly preserved.
P. leucophaea. Originally slated to be a housing development, this remnant prairie was lovingly preserved.		 8) P. leucophea. We returned the following morning to find that a deer had eaten this beautiful specimen!
8) P. leucophea. We returned the following morning to find that a deer had eaten this beautiful specimen!		 9) Platanthera lacera (ragged fringed orchid) habitat.
9) Platanthera lacera (ragged fringed orchid) habitat.		 10) P. lacera
10) P. lacera		 11) P. lacera
11) P. lacera		 12) P. lacera. The anthers look like a pair of eyes!
12) P. lacera. The anthers look like a pair of eyes!		 12a) P. lacera, close-up.
12a) P. lacera, close-up.		 13-15) Growing with the orchids were some stunning specimens of Lilium michiganense (Michigan lily)
13-15) Growing with the orchids were some stunning specimens of Lilium michiganense (Michigan lily)
14) L. michiganense with exquisite anthers.
14) L. michiganense with exquisite anthers.		 14a) L. michiganense, same specimen w. flash.
14a) L. michiganense, same specimen w. flash.		 14b) the view from underneath.
14b) the view from underneath.		 14c)
14c)		 14d)
14d)		 15)
15)		 15a)
15a)		 15b)
15b)
15c)
15c)		 (16-46) Our next stop (7/6/10) was a remote bog in Minnesota. It has been preserved as a biological study area since the 1930's.
(16-46) Our next stop (7/6/10) was a remote bog in Minnesota. It has been preserved as a biological study area since the 1930's.		 17) Tom, on the left and Eric at the bog. We were guided by Minnesota native Robert Freeman. (16 & 17 by Johanna Nelson)
17) Tom, on the left and Eric at the bog. We were guided by Minnesota native Robert Freeman. (16 & 17 by Johanna Nelson)		 17a) Yellow lady's-slippers growing in prime orchid habitat . A raised-bed coniferous forest, we counted 15 orchid species.
17a) Yellow lady's-slippers growing in prime orchid habitat . A raised-bed coniferous forest, we counted 15 orchid species.		 18) These are probably the largest-flowered var. pubescens that I have ever seen, with goose egg-sized blossoms!
18) These are probably the largest-flowered var. pubescens that I have ever seen, with goose egg-sized blossoms!		 19) The cyps were lying horizontally on the ground for unknown reasons.
19) The cyps were lying horizontally on the ground for unknown reasons.		 20) It was a windless, overcast day; perfect for an orchid portrait. Being flat against the ground, the plant was very stable.
20) It was a windless, overcast day; perfect for an orchid portrait. Being flat against the ground, the plant was very stable.		 21) Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (large yellow lady's-slipper) These three yellow cyps were the only ones blooming.
21) Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (large yellow lady's-slipper) These three yellow cyps were the only ones blooming.
22) Malaxis unifolia (green adder's-mouth) were growing there by the hundreds. This giant specimen was over 8 tall.
22) Malaxis unifolia (green adder's-mouth) were growing there by the hundreds. This giant specimen was over 8" tall.		 23) M. unifolia
23) M. unifolia		 24) M. unifolia
24) M. unifolia		 25) M. unifolia
25) M. unifolia		 26) M. unifolia
26) M. unifolia		 26a) M. unifoilia
26a) M. unifoilia		 27) M. unifolia top view.
27) M. unifolia top view.		 28) Cypripedium reginae (showy lady's-slipper) in habitat.
28) Cypripedium reginae (showy lady's-slipper) in habitat.
29) C. reginae. There were hundreds of showies present, but only a handful were still blooming.
29) C. reginae. There were hundreds of "showies" present, but only a handful were still blooming.		 30) C. reginae. The Queen!
30) C. reginae. The Queen!		 31) C. reginae
31) C. reginae		 32) C. reginae
32) C. reginae		 C. reginae same plant w. backlighting. (Jackie Nelson)
C. reginae same plant w. backlighting. (Jackie Nelson)		 (33-37) Platanthera orbiculata (pad-leaved orchid) This bog has more orchids per square foot than any place we've ever been.
(33-37) Platanthera orbiculata (pad-leaved orchid) This bog has more orchids per square foot than any place we've ever been.		 34) P. orbiculata (note mosquito, an ever-present companion)
34) P. orbiculata (note mosquito, an ever-present companion)		 35) P. orbiculata
35) P. orbiculata
36) P. orbiculata
36) P. orbiculata		 37) P. orbiculata, side-view.
37) P. orbiculata, side-view.		 38) Tom photographing the elusive Malaxis paludosa (bog adder's-mouth) the lure that brought us to this bog. (Johanna Nelson)
38) Tom photographing the elusive Malaxis paludosa (bog adder's-mouth) the lure that brought us to this bog. (Johanna Nelson)		 41) Malaxis paludosa is one of the rarest and tiniest orchids in North America. After careful searching we found three plants.
41) Malaxis paludosa is one of the rarest and tiniest orchids in North America. After careful searching we found three plants.		 M. paludosa, greatly enlarged. Average flower size is ca. 1.5-2.0 mm
M. paludosa, greatly enlarged. Average flower size is ca. 1.5-2.0 mm		 M. paludosa, front view of flower.
M. paludosa, front view of flower.		 42) M. paludosa, raceme.
42) M. paludosa, raceme.		 42) M. paludosa. Entire plant showing basal leaves.
42) M. paludosa. Entire plant showing basal leaves.
43) M. paludosa
43) M. paludosa		 43a) This Malaxis unifolia was growing on the same hummock as the M. paludosa.
43a) This Malaxis unifolia was growing on the same hummock as the M. paludosa.		 44) A beautiful clump of Corallorhiza trifida (early coralroot) in fruit.
44) A beautiful clump of Corallorhiza trifida (early coralroot) in fruit.		 45) There was a healthy population of Coeloglossum viride var. viriscens (long bracted orchid)
45) There was a healthy population of Coeloglossum viride var. viriscens (long bracted orchid)		 45a) Lots of Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)
45a) Lots of Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)		 46) A farewell image of this incredible orchid haven.
46) A farewell image of this incredible orchid haven.		 (47-51) The bog walk at Lake Bemidji State Park, MN 7/7/10 (Johanna Nelson)
(47-51) The bog walk at Lake Bemidji State Park, MN 7/7/10 (Johanna Nelson)		 48) Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus (common grass pink) Several species grow there but only this one was in bloom.
48) Calopogon tuberosus var. tuberosus (common grass pink) Several species grow there but only this one was in bloom.
48a) C. tuberosus var. tuberosos
48a) C. tuberosus var. tuberosos		 49) Calopogon close-up.
49) Calopogon close-up.		 50) Calopogon close-up.
50) Calopogon close-up.		 51) As we drove north, we passed through the town of Williams, MN which is famous for its lady's-slippers. (Eric Lamont)
51) As we drove north, we passed through the town of Williams, MN which is famous for its lady's-slippers. (Eric Lamont)		 53) Unfortunately none were in bloom, but Christina and Johanna had fun playing in the park. (7/8/10)
53) Unfortunately none were in bloom, but Christina and Johanna had fun playing in the park. (7/8/10)		 54) After crossing into Canada we found a nice population of Platanthera psycodes at Buffalo Point, Manitoba. (7/8/10)
54) After crossing into Canada we found a nice population of Platanthera psycodes at Buffalo Point, Manitoba. (7/8/10)		 54) Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)
54) Platanthera psycodes (small purple fringed orchid)		 55) P. psycodes
55) P. psycodes
56) P. psycodes
56) P. psycodes		 57) P. psycodes
57) P. psycodes		 57a) P. psycodes, side view.
57a) P. psycodes, side view.		 58) P. psycodes, top view.
58) P. psycodes, top view.		 60) P. psycodes, entire plant.
60) P. psycodes, entire plant.		 (61-63) P. psycodes with lighter lip.
(61-63) P. psycodes with lighter lip.		 62) P. psycodes
62) P. psycodes		 63) P. psycodes
63) P. psycodes
64) Then it was off to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in southern Manitoba to see Platanthera praeclara. (7/9/10)
64) Then it was off to the Tall Grass Prairie Preserve in southern Manitoba to see Platanthera praeclara. (7/9/10)		 65) Platanthera praeclara (western prairie fringed orchid)
65) Platanthera praeclara (western prairie fringed orchid)		 66) P. praeclara
66) P. praeclara		 66a) Some years there are thousands of P. praeclara at Tall Grass. Not in 2010....
66a) Some years there are thousands of P. praeclara at Tall Grass. Not in 2010....		 67) This is my diffusion tent. It provides filtered light and eliminates wind; a great investment. (by Vertex Photographic)
67) This is my diffusion tent. It provides filtered light and eliminates wind; a great investment. (by Vertex Photographic)		 68) P. praeclara
68) P. praeclara		 68a) Platanthera praeclara
68a) Platanthera praeclara		 69) P. praeclara
69) P. praeclara
70) P. praeclara
70) P. praeclara		 71) P. praeclara, side view.
71) P. praeclara, side view.		 72) P. praeclara
72) P. praeclara		 73) P. praeclara
73) P. praeclara		 74) The Nelson ladies (my support crew) at Tall Grass Prairie.
74) The Nelson ladies (my support crew) at Tall Grass Prairie.		 75) Platanthera orbiculata (pad-leaved orchid) east of Woodridge, Manitoba 7/9/10.
75) Platanthera orbiculata (pad-leaved orchid) east of Woodridge, Manitoba 7/9/10.		 P. orbiculata, showing palm-sized leaves.
P. orbiculata, showing palm-sized leaves.		 76) P. orbiculata, raceme. This massive specimen was 25 tall!
76) P. orbiculata, raceme. This massive specimen was 25" tall!
77) P. orbiculata, individual flowers. The hordes of mosquitoes in this bog made photography a challenge!
77) P. orbiculata, individual flowers. The hordes of mosquitoes in this bog made photography a challenge!		 78) Malaxis brachypoda (white adders- mouth orchid) bog east of Woodridge Manitoba 7/9/10
78) Malaxis brachypoda (white adders- mouth orchid) bog east of Woodridge Manitoba 7/9/10		 79) M. brachypoda. Eric spotted these elusive orchids.
79) M. brachypoda. Eric spotted these elusive orchids.		 80) M. brachypoda
80) M. brachypoda		 81) M. brachypoda, close-up.
81) M. brachypoda, close-up.		 82) Jackie, Eric, Johanna & Christina with Richard Reeves (our guide) at Brokenhead Preserve, Manitoba (7/10/10)
82) Jackie, Eric, Johanna & Christina with Richard Reeves (our guide) at Brokenhead Preserve, Manitoba (7/10/10)		 82a) Christina, Tom and Eric on the hunt at Brokenhead (Johanna Nelson)
82a) Christina, Tom and Eric on the hunt at Brokenhead (Johanna Nelson)		 83) Success! A very robust Platanthera huronensis (green bog orchid) at Brokenhead. Most of the orchids were past-prime...
83) Success! A very robust Platanthera huronensis (green bog orchid) at Brokenhead. Most of the orchids were past-prime...
84) P. huronensis
84) P. huronensis		 85) P. huronensis
85) P. huronensis		 85) P. huronensis
85) P. huronensis		 86) P. huronensis, close-up.
86) P. huronensis, close-up.		 87) Christina at Brokenhead with Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata (tall white bog orchid)
87) Christina at Brokenhead with Platanthera dilatata var. dilatata (tall white bog orchid)		 88) On 7/11/10 we made the 500 mile drive east to Thunder Bay Ont. and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (pictured)
88) On 7/11/10 we made the 500 mile drive east to Thunder Bay Ont. and Sleeping Giant Provincial Park (pictured)		 89) Johanna & Jackie hiking to Ravine Lake with Adam Cousins, park naturalist.
89) Johanna & Jackie hiking to Ravine Lake with Adam Cousins, park naturalist.		 89a) The girls at Ravine Lake, Sleeping Giant Park. 7/13/10
89a) The girls at Ravine Lake, Sleeping Giant Park. 7/13/10
90) The object of our search: a new variety of Corallorhiza maculata (spotted coralroot) discovered in2009 by Adam.
90) The object of our search: a new variety of Corallorhiza maculata (spotted coralroot) discovered in2009 by Adam.		 91) C. maculata, new variety discovered by Adam Cousins.
91) C. maculata, new variety discovered by Adam Cousins.		 91a) Tom getting up close and personal w. the coralroot (Jackie Nelson)
91a) Tom getting up close and personal w. the coralroot (Jackie Nelson)		 91b) A nearby Goodyera repens in full flower.
91b) A nearby Goodyera repens in full flower.		 91c) Spiranthes romanzoffiana was also in bloom (2 weeks early!) at Sleeping Giant.
91c) Spiranthes romanzoffiana was also in bloom (2 weeks early!) at Sleeping Giant.		 92) Orchid hunt: Leaving the town of Silver Islet by boat. 7/13/10
92) Orchid hunt: Leaving the town of Silver Islet by boat. 7/13/10		 93) View of Sleeping Giant from Lake Superior from Warren Mazurski's much-appreciated boat.
93) View of Sleeping Giant from Lake Superior from Warren Mazurski's much-appreciated boat.		 94) Adam Cousins (front) with our orchid-friend Warren Mazurski, who discovered Amerorchis rotundifolia var. immaculata.
94) Adam Cousins (front) with our orchid-friend Warren Mazurski, who discovered Amerorchis rotundifolia var. immaculata.
95) Adam showed us hundreds of Listera auriculata at a historical site that he rediscovered. All were past prime. Drat!
95) Adam showed us hundreds of Listera auriculata at a historical site that he rediscovered. All were past prime. Drat!		 (96-98) Liparis loeselii (Loessel's twayblade) at Grassy Lake, Sleeping Giant Park.
(96-98) Liparis loeselii (Loessel's twayblade) at Grassy Lake, Sleeping Giant Park.		 96a) Malaxis paludosa has been found at Grassy Lake in the past. We found none; this was our consolation prize.
96a) Malaxis paludosa has been found at Grassy Lake in the past. We found none; this was our consolation prize.		 97) L. loeselii, flowers.
97) L. loeselii, flowers.		 98) L. loeselii, close-up.
98) L. loeselii, close-up.		 (99-105) Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (western spotted coralroot) Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, Ont. 7/12/10
(99-105) Corallorhiza maculata var. occidentalis (western spotted coralroot) Rainbow Falls Provincial Park, Ont. 7/12/10		 100) Eric found this prime-flowered clump hiding under the boughs of a balsam fir.
100) Eric found this prime-flowered clump hiding under the boughs of a balsam fir.		 101) They were the only ones still in bloom....
101) They were the only ones still in bloom....
102)
102)		 103)
103)		 104)
104)		 105) What a specimen!
105) What a specimen!		 106) Pic River Dunes and Pukaskwa Nat'l Park. The Cypripedium passerinum were past, but we saw some stunning scenery!
106) Pic River Dunes and Pukaskwa Nat'l Park. The Cypripedium passerinum were past, but we saw some stunning scenery!		 107) Back over the border: Lake Superior near Grand Portage MN (7/17/10)
107) Back over the border: Lake Superior near Grand Portage MN (7/17/10)		 112) Our next stop was Grand Marais, Michigan and Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore (7/19/10)
112) Our next stop was Grand Marais, Michigan and Pictured Rocks Nat'l Lakeshore (7/19/10)		 109) Spiranthes lacera in orchid-rich habitat (old sand dunes just back from the lakeshore)
109) Spiranthes lacera in orchid-rich habitat (old sand dunes just back from the lakeshore)
110) Spiranthes lacera, group. We counted 11 species of orchids growing on these dunes!
110) Spiranthes lacera, group. We counted 11 species of orchids growing on these dunes!		 111) Spiranthes lacera var. lacera (northern slender ladies'-tresses) w. Pyrola spp.
111) Spiranthes lacera var. lacera (northern slender ladies'-tresses) w. Pyrola spp.		 (112-115) Spiranthes lacere var. lacera
(112-115) Spiranthes lacere var. lacera		 112)
112)		 113)
113)		 114)
114)		 115)
115)		 115) Tom and his little helper setting up to photograph Spiranthes lacera. (Steve Baker)
115) Tom and his little helper setting up to photograph Spiranthes lacera. (Steve Baker)
(116-119) Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata (spotted coralroot)
(116-119) Corallorhiza maculata var. maculata (spotted coralroot)		 117)
117)		 118)
118)		 119)
119)		 120) Steve Baker, our Michigan guide, and the gang at Pictured Rocks. Good times!
120) Steve Baker, our Michigan guide, and the gang at Pictured Rocks. Good times!		 121) The dramatic Lake Superior shoreline at Pictured Rocks.
121) The dramatic Lake Superior shoreline at Pictured Rocks.		 121a) Grand Marais harbor at sunrise.
121a) Grand Marais harbor at sunrise.		 122) Goodyera oblongifolia (giant rattlesnake orchid) in habitat
122) Goodyera oblongifolia (giant rattlesnake orchid) in habitat
(123 - 127) Goodyera oblongifolia
(123 - 127) Goodyera oblongifolia		 124)
124)		 125)
125)		 126)
126)		 127)
127)		 128) Goodyera tesselata (checkered rattlesnake orchid) leaves.
128) Goodyera tesselata (checkered rattlesnake orchid) leaves.		 (129 - 131) Goodyera tesselata
(129 - 131) Goodyera tesselata		 130)
130)
131)
131)		 (132 - 134) Goodyera repens var. ophioides (lesser rattlesnake orchid) near Cedarville, Michigan 7/21/10.
(132 - 134) Goodyera repens var. ophioides (lesser rattlesnake orchid) near Cedarville, Michigan 7/21/10.		 133)
133)		 134)
134)		 134a) Steve Baker with Platanthera dilatata. Steve is very knowledgeable and guided us to orchid sites near Cedarville, MI
134a) Steve Baker with Platanthera dilatata. Steve is very knowledgeable and guided us to orchid sites near Cedarville, MI		 (135- 145) Fen near Cedarville, MI) Spiranthes romanzoffiana (hooded ladies'-tresses) 7/21/10.
(135- 145) Fen near Cedarville, MI) Spiranthes romanzoffiana (hooded ladies'-tresses) 7/21/10.		 Fen near Cedarville, MI Spiranthes romanzoffiana (hooded ladies'-tresses) 7/21/10.
Fen near Cedarville, MI Spiranthes romanzoffiana (hooded ladies'-tresses) 7/21/10.		 136) S. romanzoffiana w. crab spider.
136) S. romanzoffiana w. crab spider.
137) An unusually shaped S. romanzoffiana, same site.
137) An unusually shaped S. romanzoffiana, same site.		 138) Unusual S. romanzoffiana, raceme.
138) Unusual S. romanzoffiana, raceme.		 139) Tom in the ditch photographing a Spiranthes. Everyone tired of holding my umbrella, so I improvised! (Jackie Nelson)
139) Tom in the ditch photographing a Spiranthes. Everyone tired of holding my umbrella, so I improvised! (Jackie Nelson)		 140) Pogonia ophioglossoides (rose pogonia) w. crab spider. Cedarville, MI 7/21/10.
140) Pogonia ophioglossoides (rose pogonia) w. crab spider. Cedarville, MI 7/21/10.		 141) Rose pogonia w. persistent crab spider.
141) Rose pogonia w. persistent crab spider.		 143) Rose pogonia. I finally had to gently remove the probably hungry spider to get this portrait.
143) Rose pogonia. I finally had to gently remove the probably hungry spider to get this portrait.		 144) Gymnageniopsis clavellata var. clavellata (little club-spur orchid) in the same fen as the pogonia.
144) Gymnageniopsis clavellata var. clavellata (little club-spur orchid) in the same fen as the pogonia.		 145) G. clavellata
145) G. clavellata
(146-158) Platanthera blephariglottis. On our way home we stopped at Hazelton, PA to feast on the fringed orchids there. 7/23/10
(146-158) Platanthera blephariglottis. On our way home we stopped at Hazelton, PA to feast on the fringed orchids there. 7/23/10		 148) P. blephariglottis, habitat.
148) P. blephariglottis, habitat.		 149) Platanthera blephariglottis var. blephariglottis (northern white fringed orchid) w. crab spider
149) Platanthera blephariglottis var. blephariglottis (northern white fringed orchid) w. crab spider		 149a) P. blephariglottis
149a) P. blephariglottis		 150) P. blephariglottis
150) P. blephariglottis		 151 Platanthera ciliaris (orange fringed orchid)
151 Platanthera ciliaris (orange fringed orchid)		 152) P. ciliaris, top view.
152) P. ciliaris, top view.		 153) P. ciliaris.
153) P. ciliaris.
154) P. ciliaris, close-up.
154) P. ciliaris, close-up.		 155) Platanthera x bicolor (P. ciliaris x P. blephariglottis)
155) Platanthera x bicolor (P. ciliaris x P. blephariglottis)		 156) P. x bicolor
156) P. x bicolor		 157) P. x bicolor
157) P. x bicolor		 158) P. x bicolor
158) P. x bicolor		 159) Lake Huron sunset. A trip we'll remember forever: 3 weeks, 5,000+ miles and 43 species and varietes of orchids!
159) Lake Huron sunset. A trip we'll remember forever: 3 weeks, 5,000+ miles and 43 species and varietes of orchids!

comment | share
Jennifer 09-Dec-2011 20:45
Hi there came across your blog as I was looking up my Dads name Warren Mazurski I will have to send him the link to the site. :)
Grandma Shirley Nelson 30-Sep-2010 17:59
Your dad and I just looked through the whole site, and were greatly impressed with all the beautiful orchids. We also enjoyed the pictures with people in them, as some of them happen to be related to us, and are much loved.
Type your message and click Add Comment
It is best to login or register first but you may post as a guest.
Enter an optional name and contact email address. Name
Name Email
help private comment
click on thumbnails for full image