photo sharing and upload picture albums photo forums search pictures popular photos photography help login
Tom Nelson | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> 2011 Orchid Trip Part 3: Banff/Kootenay/Jasper Nat'l Parks tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

2011 Orchid Trip Part 3: Banff/Kootenay/Jasper Nat'l Parks

As we continued our northward arc through the Canadian Rockies, the orchid bloom was phenomenal! Due to the extraordinarily late season, the orchids that normally flower in mid-June were in prime bloom in the second week of July. We were essentially "chasing spring" and would continue to do so for the next four weeks. This was the third bloom of yellow lady's-slippers we had witnessed: we had seen the species in Great Smokey Mountains Nat'l Park on April 20th; a limestone fen in New Jersey on May 15th; and now in the Canadian Rockies on July 9th.

In addition to Banff, Jasper and Kootenay Nat'l Parks, we also visited Bow Valley Provincial Park and an incredible orchid site above Canmore Alberta near Banff. Mt. Robson Provincial Park west of Jasper was also visited.

I would have had no idea where to search if I hadn't had the help of Edmonton-based native orchid enthusiast Ben Rostron. Without his very thorough directions we would not have found the orchid feast that we did. Lorne Heshka helped with directions in Kootenay and Washington-based orchid photographer Ron Hanko provided valuable information for Mt. Robson.

Click on the images to enlarge them or view the slideshow. It really helps!


 Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia with Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia with Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) w. Pinguicula vulgaris (common butterwort) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia (small round-leaf orchid) w. Pinguicula vulgaris (common butterwort) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) with yellow lady's-slipper near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) with yellow lady's-slipper near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Lilium philadelphicum (wood lily) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Lilium philadelphicum (wood lily) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) w. deeply marked lip near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) w. deeply marked lip near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) habitat, near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) habitat, near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore,  Alberta 7/9/11
Platanthera obtusata (blunt-leaved rein orchid) near Canmore, Alberta 7/9/11
Scenic view from Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Scenic view from Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) w. Coeloglossum viride. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) w. Coeloglossum viride. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Corallorhiza striata (striped coralroot) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Corallorhiza striata (striped coralroot) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
 Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) close-up of same plant. (Jackie Nelson) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium passerinum (sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper) close-up of same plant. (Jackie Nelson) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper  w. yellow lady's-slipper.  Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper w. yellow lady's-slipper. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper  w. yellow lady's-slipper. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Sparrow's-egg lady's-slipper w. yellow lady's-slipper. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Yellow lady's-slipper, Amerorchis & paintbrush. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Yellow lady's-slipper, Amerorchis & paintbrush. Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) hiding in the fen...Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) hiding in the fen...Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (yellow lady's-slipper) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Bow Valley Provincial Park 7/9/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
It was hotter on the Radium Hot Springs side, but one clump of C. montanum was prime. 7/10/11
Kootenay Nat'l Park, Radium entrance. The C. montanum site is on the lower right. 7/10/11
Kootenay Nat'l Park, Radium entrance. The C. montanum site is on the lower right. 7/10/11
The Amerorchis & C. passerinum were all past, but we found prime Platanthera aquilonis 7/10/11
The Amerorchis & C. passerinum were all past, but we found prime Platanthera aquilonis 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)  Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid) Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)  Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid) Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)  Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid) Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid)  Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Platanthera aquilonis (northern green bog orchid) Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
The Canadian Rockies seem to go on forever. Jackie at  Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
The Canadian Rockies seem to go on forever. Jackie at Kootenay Nat'l Park 7/10/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Calypso bulbosa var. americana (eastern fairy-slipper) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) within 5 ft. of the calypso! Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) within 5 ft. of the calypso! Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Listera borealis (northern twayblade) Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Massive patch of Amerorchis rotundifolia at the same site. Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Massive patch of Amerorchis rotundifolia at the same site. Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Massive patch of Amerorchis rotundifolia at the same site. Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
Massive patch of Amerorchis rotundifolia at the same site. Banff Nat'l Park 7/11/11
It is almost 200 miles from Banff to the town of Jasper and the scenery is breathtaking! 7/11/11
It is almost 200 miles from Banff to the town of Jasper and the scenery is breathtaking! 7/11/11
It is almost 200 miles from Banff to the town of Jasper and the scenery is breathtaking! 7/11/11
It is almost 200 miles from Banff to the town of Jasper and the scenery is breathtaking! 7/11/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Coeloglossum viride var. virescens (long bracted green orchid) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Two bull elk (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Two bull elk (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Timber wolf (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Timber wolf (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Red fox (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Red fox (Johanna Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Bighorn sheep. (Jackie Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Bighorn sheep. (Jackie Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Black bear. (Jackie Nelson)
The wildlife was plentiful in the Jasper area. Black bear. (Jackie Nelson)
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
A meadow filled with Lilium philadelphicum & Platanthera aquilonis Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) w. Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) Maligne Lake Rd. 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) w. Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) Maligne Lake Rd. 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) w. Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) Maligne Lake Rd. 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) w. Castilleja miniata (giant red paintbrush) Maligne Lake Rd. 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Aquilegia flavescens (yellow columbine) Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
There was one clump of past-prime yellow lady's-slippers along the road. Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
There was one clump of past-prime yellow lady's-slippers along the road. Maligne Lake Rd. Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Evening reflection. Maligne Lake, Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
Evening reflection. Maligne Lake, Jasper Nat'l Park 7/12/11
This doesn't look like New York! Our cabin near Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
This doesn't look like New York! Our cabin near Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The view of Mt. Robson from our cabin near Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The view of Mt. Robson from our cabin near Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Berg Lake trail with Mt. Robson in the background. 7/13/11
Berg Lake trail with Mt. Robson in the background. 7/13/11
The trail winds through a beautiful western red cedar forest. 7/13/11
The trail winds through a beautiful western red cedar forest. 7/13/11
Tom utilizing a black velvet background to capture Listera cordata. (Johanna Nelson)  Berg Lake Trail,7/13/11
Tom utilizing a black velvet background to capture Listera cordata. (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail,7/13/11
Focusing is so much work! Photographing Listera cordata. (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Focusing is so much work! Photographing Listera cordata. (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera cordata var. nephrophylla (western heart-leaved twayblade) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Clintonia uniflora (bluebead lily) w. bunchberry & oak fern. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Clintonia uniflora (bluebead lily) w. bunchberry & oak fern. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Clintonia uniflora (bluebead lily) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Clintonia uniflora (bluebead lily) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern) (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Botrychium virginianum (rattlesnake fern) (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The river's water is an icy blue color from the glacial snow melt.  Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The river's water is an icy blue color from the glacial snow melt. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) along the river. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) along the river. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Jackie intently photographing Amerorchis rotundifolia (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Jackie intently photographing Amerorchis rotundifolia (Johanna Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia (Jackie Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Amerorchis rotundifolia (Jackie Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera borealis (Jackie Nelson)  Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Listera borealis (Jackie Nelson) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum (green spleenwort) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum (green spleenwort) Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The lofty ramparts of Mt. Robson grace the shores of Kinney Lake.  Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
The lofty ramparts of Mt. Robson grace the shores of Kinney Lake. Berg Lake Trail, Mt. Robson Provincial Park 7/13/11
Headed to Vancouver: Platanthera stricta (slender bog orchid) & Platanthera dilatata near Blue River, BC 7/14/11
Headed to Vancouver: Platanthera stricta (slender bog orchid) & Platanthera dilatata near Blue River, BC 7/14/11
 Platanthera dilatata near Blue River, BC 7/14/11
Platanthera dilatata near Blue River, BC 7/14/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Lilium columbianum (columbia lily) near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Idyllic landscape near  Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Idyllic landscape near Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Idyllic landscape near  Blue River, BC 7/13/11
Idyllic landscape near Blue River, BC 7/13/11