In April of 2014 the Nelsons made their third visit to Great Smokey Mountain Nat'l Park, one of our favorite botanical areas. The weather was cold and wet and hence the blooming season was a bit delayed, but some good finds were still made and the hiking was spectacular.

Several orchid sites that I monitor in New Jersey were visited (always a pleasure!) and a whirlwind trip to Vermont to photograph Rams's-Head Lady's-slippers was made, but sadly the plants were past-prime. The consolation prize was hundreds of still blooming large yellow lady's-slippers and showy orchis still hanging on.

I also photographed New York City's resident population of Dutchman's Breeches, found in nearby Inwood Hill Park, a 100 acre uncut forest at the northern tip of Manhattan that contains a few remnant native species, along with a lot of exotic invasive species. In 1925 a floral survey was done of the new park and seven species of native orchids were found! They are all gone - the park has been loved to death...

The highlight of the season so far was an afternoon spent with naturalist Rick Koval hunting orchids in northeastern Pennsylvania. Rick showed me the largest population of pink lady's-slippers that this humble orchidophile has ever laid eyes on. There were literally thousands of plants growing in densley packed stands in a reclaimed mining area. He also guided me to some other orchid hot spots in the area, showing me four other species - and some beautiful scenery too! Rick writes an "outdoors" column for the Pocono Record. Here's a link to an article he wrote about our visit to the site:
http://www.poconorecord.com//apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20140608/OUTDOORS/406080325&emailAFriend=1

Enjoy the images!