Spring Botanizing - May 2023 Tray Mtn., Chattahoochee Natl. Forest |
All Text & Images: Copyright (2023) |
I like to explore new locations looking for Yellow Lady's Slippers in late spring. The environment & plant community in these rich slopes below Tray Mountain looked conducive to finding some. |
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A big hollow tree (4+ feet diameter) Unfortunately I didn't have a model with me to pose inside. |
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I came upon a small group of these orchids first... Pink Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium acaule) |
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Pink Lady's Slipper |
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Ahh, success! Large Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) |
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Large Yellow Lady's Slipper |
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Striped Maple flowers (Acer pensylvanicum) |
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Wild Sarsparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) |
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Umbrella Leaf flowers (Diphylleia cymosa) |
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A few more Large Yellow Lady's Slippers (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens) |
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Large Yellow Lady's Slipper |
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I wondered what happened to the flower in the front, but taking a closer look, I saw a caterpillar chewing what's left of the pouch. |
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It started raining, and I saw a few more Pink Lady's Slippers on my way back to the truck. |