The Pink Ladies

[Wicked Dark]

I've been keeping my eye out for lady slippers and found some blooming today.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2178/5737965694_a890d47c28_z.jpg

Recent rains brought the color up like crazy.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/5737964906_c8e729342c_z.jpg

Unfortunately these were near a popular bonfire area and many were trampled. :mad:

[Matt K.]

Oh these are wonderful. Never seen pink ones in nature, we have white and yellow ones, as far as I know. And dang these people for trampling on them.

[johnbriner]

Those blossoms look really refreshing to the eyes and the colors are awesome as well. Sad to hear that some of them were trampled :sad: But, lucky you, you were still able to capture these.

[Wicked Dark]

thanks guys. once I started to notice them in the undergrowth, the wrecked ones came up, too. I think it was kids, probably teenagers...careless as always.
and here's a funny thing, I've only ever seen the pink ones though I think the others grow in New England.

[Iguanasan]

I think you are a bit ahead of us for these but I'll have to take a trip out to my favourite Lady Slipper area to have a peek. I too have only ever seen the pink ones. The second one is my favourite here.

[Wicked Dark]

that's funny. Lady slippers seem to be elusive. They're at a wide range of stages where I was yesterday, from no stem and only leaves, through full bloom. Most had blossoms, but many were young and still greeny-yellow. I'm glad I caught some before my week in California since they'll probably be done blooming when I get back.

[Bambi]

lovely. Here we mostly have pink with a few whites. I've not seen a yellow here. I have to go out to my spots as well. :)

have fun in California!

[aubintbay]

Nice pictures of something so seldom seen.

[Mad Aussie]

Don't think we get these over here. Interesting looking bloom.

[Wicked Dark]

thanks peeps. I think lady slippers (all kinds) are a type of orchid. Unfortunately I think the bog orchids I wanted to shoot have gone by while I was in California.

[Hillbillygirl]

Very beautiful WD, likin' both shots. The Lady's Slippers are one of my favourite, yet quite elusive wildflowers. Glad you had a chance to take these shots and share them with us, as like you said, they don't last long.
This one is actually called a Moccasin Flower. You can tell especially by the paired leaves at base of stem.

[Wicked Dark]

that's funny, I think I heard that a million years ago, now all the guides I've seen say lady slipper. Funny how names come and go.

[Hillbillygirl]

It is in the Lady's Slipper family, but Moccasin Flower is its name within that family. All the others such as Showy, Yellow, Mountain, and White, Lady's Slippers, have staggered leaves all the way up the stem. (sorry for the confusion)

[Wicked Dark]

no worries, I wasn't trying to argue, just to say that no one seems to call them that around here. I wish I could spot the other color flowers someday though.

[JAS_Photo]

Very pretty find and capture, Wicked D!

[Hillbillygirl]

no worries, I wasn't trying to argue, just to say that no one seems to call them that around here. I wish I could spot the other color flowers someday though.

No argument here neither WD, was just apologizing for the confusion I started.:sorry::footinmou
Really wish we had more around my neck of woods also. Only yellows here.:shrug:

[Michaelaw]

Nice captures of an interesting flower. I believe I saw these while out today but didn't capture them because I was too lazy to deal with the light they seemed to enjoy :)