2008-07-26 Day trip to Pisgah National Forest, near Brevard, NC, to check on the status of Triphora trianthophora. Along the way, we saw a big stand of Lilium superbum with plants averaging eight feet tall. Once we arrived at the Triphora site in Pisgah National Forest, we witnessed a frenzied "butterfly salt lick", with both Pipe vine swallowtail and Eastern tiger swallowtail butterflies. As we watched, the flutter grew from three to eight individuals.

We did find Triphora, but in fewer numbers than last year. The constant drought in the Southeast seems to be taking its toll on the orchid populations. We did see a few Goodyera pubescens as well as one single Tipularia discolor. Last year, there were hundreds of Tipularia in this area.

Finally, when we returned home, I photographed a few of the Platanthera ciliaris growing in my front yard bog garden.

All in all, though, it was a pretty good day.

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