CAUTION - Too Many Pictures!
A couple of weeks ago we headed out to drive some sideroads we remembered from a decade ago where we thought we'd seen Yellow Ladyslippers, one of Ontario's native orchids. 'we drove slowly down a few roads, and much to our delight we were successful.
Showing off my complete memory blank from back in the day when I used to recognize most of the plants we saw, I struggled to figure out what this nice white flower is. It wasn't until we got home and I was still wondering that I remembered, the common Canada Anemone.
But soon we saw the first clump of those elusive Yellow Ladyslippers!
They were right in the ditch along the sideroad, but wonderful to see.
This is a terrible close-up, taken from the car with my phone's camera, but I still felt obliged to try.
There were acres of these bright green stems,
And buried among them some of the beautiful blue native Iris.
Ferns were plentiful too. The top one I couldn't recognize at 50 feet, but the bottom one is Royal Fern.
We crossed one sluggish stream, dotted with yellow Bullhead Lilies.
But it was those Yellow Ladyslippers that were the undoubted highlight. No telling what you can see in your local ditch!
Gorgeous! I remember seeing the Ladies up on the Bruce. On first sight, driving along, thought they were dandelions in the ditches, until closer inspection!! Apparently they have a vanilla-like scent. Next time I see them, I'll be sniffing!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos from a very productive Ditch Drive.
You captured some super ditch flowers. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteThe pinks are in bloom at that spot out in the county, but I won’t be getting to them this year as I behave myself post surgery. I’d love to see yellows some time.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! I have only ever seen a couple of these. What delight. Actually, your whole drive looks like a dream.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too like the Yellow Ladyslippers ... but I enjoyed seeing all of your photographs.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Wow. Fifty years ago I knew of three locations in our county of about 800,000 acres where yellow lady's-slippers grew. Now two of those colonies have disappeared and the third is greatly diminished. Apparently they need, or prefer, soils with a higher pH than most of our area.
ReplyDeleteEver since the first time we met, and from reading your blog, I'm always impressed with your memory of what plants and trees are named. I'm terrible at that.
ReplyDeleteThose yellow Ladyslippers are worth the search. Beauties. So much to enjoy this time of year!
ReplyDeleteYou sure found some pretty flowers. The loveliest has to be that Yellow Lady's Slipper.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Yellow Ladyslipper ... gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Glad your drive was successful.
ReplyDelete