hen one thinks of Orchids,   it’s usually of the corsage purchased for the High School Senior Prom,  or some of the breathtaking exotic species found at botanical gardens throughout our country.   Most are cultivated, hybridized and quite “showy”.    Little is known by the average individual of the “treasure trove” of  wild and native orchid species that decorate our local woodlands and wetlands.   The majority are quite demure in appearance,  while many are minuscule in size.

Ten or so years back,   I developed an aspiring interest in botany driven by a close friend whose name I’ve mentioned on numerous entries through out this blog.   As a semi-retired professional commercial photographer who had decided to pick up the camera once again,   I wanted to explore the world of nature at my own pace,   hone my skills with unfamiliar subjects and techniques  and once again enjoy the craft I love,  away from the deadlines and pressures associated with photography as a business and income.   It was fun to begin a new journey as a somewhat rank amateur exploring the “natural” world often with more question than answers.

Exploring our woodlands and wetlands for mysterious wild and native orchid species has become a passion and somewhat an obsession.    Even during my avian photography expeditions,  I always have the gear needed for photographing our “small world” readily at hand.   In fact,  many of my discoveries have taken place during my small bird photography outings,  especially within our nearby Michaux State Forest  near my home here in south-central Pennsylvania.

This entry in my blog,  as with a few others,  have become a “Work in Progress” and updated as I add new species to my collection;  and there are so many more to discover,  see and photograph.

The orchids in this entry will relate to both upland and wetland species found within our woodlands,  unlike my previous entry  “Bog Life”  related primarily to bogs and fens which include other non-orchid species associated to those ecosystems.   A few will be the same species but photographed within a different environment.

I will present these in no particular order,  but add new species as I find and photograph them.  I’ll include the common names,  as well as the scientific Latin names associated with each species.  I believe that most folks will find the common names more appealing instead of the technical “mumbo jumbo” associated with the scientific community and botanists.

The orchid pictured to the right is the mid-summer blooming Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid captured within the Michaux State Forest here in Pennsylvania and whose namesake was noted French Botanist and explorer,  André Michaux who was noted for his study of North American flora.

Tipularia discolor,  or Cranefly Orchid is likely one of the most “Plain Jane” members of the Orchidaceae family you can find. It’s hardly noticeable unless you’re seriously looking for it to begin with;  and then it can be difficult to spot among leaves and other brown foliage on the ground,  especially with its inconspicuous blooms which can appear to be just a stick poking out of the forest floor.   I owe the discovery of this one to friend Merry Stinson who wandered upon a small patch a year or so back within our Michaux State Forest and graciously shared the location with me.

Cranefly Orchids,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

The Cranefly Orchid is considered Facultative Upland  (usually occurs in non-wetlands but may occur near wetlands where soils are rarely saturated).   These were located close to a stream,  but in the dry soil well above it.

Flowers of the Cranefly Orchid,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

The Cranefly Orchid is common throughout the eastern and central United States,  ranging from Florida,  north to Massachusetts,  and west to Texas.   The Cranefly is classified as “Threatened” in Florida and Michigan,  and “Endangered” in Massachusetts and New York,   Although these images were photographed here within Pennsylvania,  it maintains a “Rare” classification for our state.

Depending on Geographical location,  this orchid flowers between June and September with petals of green,  purple or yellow.   The main color of the lip or Labellum  (the modified petal of an orchid)  can be blue to purple, or sometimes green to brown or yellow.

The Cranefly Orchid produces a single leaf in the fall which stays green throughout the winter with purple pigmentation on the underside.   The leaf then withers in the spring and may disappear before the plant flowers in the summer.

The primary pollinators are moths,  to include the Common Looper Moth,  Sharp-stigma Looper Moth,  Porcelain Gray Moth,  True Armyworm Moth  and the Brown-hooded owlet Moth.

Cranefly Orchids,  A Pair Intertwined,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

The Cranefly orchids pictured above were a result of my most recent orchid outing,  (August 2019)  and the initial use of a new lens, the IRIX 150mm F 2.8 Dragonfly MACRO prime lens,  of Swiss design and manufactured in South Korea.   It maintains the optical quality of the 150mm Zeiss at a fraction of the price.  I’m going to keep a vigilance for mores of these orchids in the future.

The images of the Tipularia discolor,  or Cranefly Orchid presented above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the lens mentioned above,  lighting with the Aputure Amaran F7 LED,  support included the Induro CT 214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Goodyera pubescens,  or the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid,  is one of my favorites to “stumble” on to!  (literally and accidentally of course)   I won’t even admit looking for them anymore as many of the ones I had previously noted locations for have all but disappeared.   I’m not sure if deer are enjoying them as hors d’oeuvres or it’s just their life cycle.   Lately,  and while photographing another subject,  “poof” one or two magically appear to my left or right.   However,  this is a very common orchid of the Appalachian woodlands where I spend most of my time,  and its widespread across eastern and central Canada and the United States,  from Quebec south to Oklahoma.

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid cluster,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

The Downy Rattlesnake plantain is an orchid that flowers during late summer and depending on geographical location,  can be seen in full bloom starting in July,  August or September.    It’s a plant of mesic to dry forests and as is typical of orchids,  as the roots have a mycorrhizal  (a fungus which grows in association with the roots of a plant in a symbiotic or mildly pathogenic correlation)  relationship with fungi that supports the plant with the attainment of moisture and nutrients,  while the plant provides products of its photosynthesis to feed the fungus it relies on.

Leaves of the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain Orchid,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

The foliage of the Downy Rattlesnake plantain is “evergreen”  as pictured above,  is pretty much visible year-round, and present during the flowering of the orchid.   Like some other orchids,  the leaves may be present less a stem and flower until the orchid reaches’ maturity.

The flowers of the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid “up close and personal”…

If you look closely at the “macro” image above,   you’ll notice that the flower is zygomorphic.  (bilaterally symmetrical; or a shape that can be divided into two equal halves by only one plane like a human face)   The flowers are resupinate,  (a common condition found in orchids that describe the flowers appearing as upside down because of the twisting of the pedicle,  along with the pouch like lip on the bottom.)   As with many orchids,  the flower design can be fascinating.

Known pollinators of this orchid are limited,  and differ from the other species of Goodyera,  but include the Golden Green and Blue green Sweat Bees.

The legal status based from USDA data show the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid as “secure” throughout most of its range except for two states;  and listed as“Endangered” in Florida while “Exploitably Vulnerable” within New York.   Again, one of my favorites to pursue in our Appalachian woodlands.

The images of the Goodyera pubescens,  or the Downy Rattlesnake Plantain orchid presented above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D (original) and Canon EOS 5D Mark III along with the Sigma 180mm f2.8 MACRO prime lens and the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro prime lens,  lighting with the Canon 580Ex Speedlight,  support included the Induro CT 214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Platanthera orbiculata,  or Round Leaved Orchid is another favorite and my original encounter with this species was through a very close friend,  Elmer Schweitzer,  and at a slightly different location within the same area.  However,  a road crew had used a grader to push back soil and debris to create a parking spot for the nearby Appalachian Trail  covering up and decimating the plant.   A year later I decided to explore the area a bit more and found several more plants scattered about.   The one pictured here is a solitary orchid I have been following over the past 6 years,  and another treasure of our Michaux State Forest.

Because of stray sunlight coming through the trees creating harsh highlights and shadows around the orchid,   I chose an overcast and rainy afternoon for photography and used a flash for highlighting the plant and its surroundings.  This is one of my favorite conditions for wildflower photography in general, less any heavy rain of course.

There are two varieties of Platanthera orbiculata,  the most common and typical,  var. orbiculata,  is widely distributed across northern Canada and the U.S., from Alaska to South Carolina.  The other, var. macrophylla is isolated to the northeast.   This variety is more robust with larger flowers and leaves, and nectar spurs twice the length of var. orbiculata pictured here and one I obsessively continue to pursue.

A view from above

The Round Leaved orchid flowers from June through September based on geographical location.   This orchid produces two dark green and often glossy leaves at its base which lie flat on the ground.   Common pollinators include noctuid moths like the Large Looper Moth and Green-patched Looper Moth and perhaps a few others.

The single leave of a new discovery nearby

Platanthera orbiculata can be found in mesic to moist forests and woodlands,  rather coniferous or deciduous,  and occasionally in shaded bogs.   It is considered globally secure,  however vulnerable throughout most of its North American range and is rare, threatened or endangered within New Jersey,  Connecticut,  New York,  Rhode Island and Tennessee.  It has been declared extirpated or extinct within the state of Indiana.

The flowers (tiny ghosties) of var. orbiculata

The images of the Platanthera orbiculata,  or Round Leaved Orchid presented above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Sigma 180mm f2.8 MACRO prime lens and the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L MACRO prime lens,  lighting with the Canon 580Ex Speedlight,  support included the Induro CT 214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Isotria verticillate,  or Large Whorled Pogonia Orchid was another terrific find by my friend Merry Stinson along one of the many gravel forest roads in the Michaux State Forest.   How she spotted this gem is beyond my comprehension as it and the others blended in well with the surrounding foliage of other species of plants.   She marked a couple of the plants with sticks leaving me at my wit’s end until I finally found them.

They are easily confused with Medeola virginiana or Indian Cucumber,  and others with the same type of leave pattern.   Luckily these were in bloom and easier to distinguish apart from the others,  although I had only seen a few pictures,   I was a bit forgetful and wasn’t totally sure what I was looking for at first.  I found the sticks and then noticed the orchids jogging my memory of a few images I had seen online.

A kind of a fun story goes with my photographic session of these tiny plants ,  which required me to lie prone,  waist and legs extended into the roadway,  using my Jeep as a safety barrier from being hit by any  motorists sharing the road.   A passing Forest Ranger approached from behind the Jeep and must had thought I was injured until he walked up and saw the camera and tripod.  But,  still I believe he thought I was nuts until I pointed out the orchid and his interest and curiosity took over.   We had quite a discussion lasting a half hour or so until he was on his way.

It’s always fun to run into these dedicated stewards of the land,   although I always get warnings about rattlesnakes and the “creepy crawlies” that inhabit the grasses and woodlands and I have had more than my share of encounters with not so friendly critters,  to include a 4 foot timber rattler that confused me for a log,  or perhaps not,  and crawled across my back, then turning and glaring at me for a sec and seemingly giving me a smile and reminder of how lucky I was.

The Large Whorled Pogonia orchid can be found throughout the central and eastern United States with populations extending into the Province of Ontario Canada.  Its preferred habitat includes mesic to dry forests and woodlands and occasionally near bogs.   The orchid can form extensive clonal groups.

It’s joined by the somewhat rare and endangered species of Isotria medeoloides, or Small Whorled Pogonia Orchid which can be distinguished by its smaller size,  and green instead of purple sepals.   Isotria medeoloides is listed as “endangered” throughout most of its range and is considered extirpated (extinct) within the state of Maryland.   The Large Whorled Pogonia is listed as threatened or endangered within Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and possibly extirpated within the state of Maine,  but it’s also considered “rare or vulnerable” around the southern, western, and northern edges of its range.

Depending on geographic location the Large Whorled Pogonia orchid flowers between April and June.   Pollination is primarily performed by bees,  including but not limited to the Mining Bee,  Nason’s Mining Bee,   Sweat Bee,  Golden-green Sweat Bee and the Nomad Bee and a few others.

The images of the Isotria verticillate,  or Large Whorled Pogonia Orchid presented above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D (original) and the Sigma 180mm f2.8 MACRO prime lens,  lighting by the Canon 580Ex Speedlight,  support included the Induro CT 214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Platanthera clavellata,  or Small Green Wood Orchid,  (also known as the Little Club Spur Bog Orchid when associated with bogs)  is one of the most widely distributed species of its genus,  from central and eastern Canada and the United States,  from Texas to Newfoundland.  The images above and below were also captured within the Michaux State Forest.   André Michaux,  discovered and named this orchid species.  So,  what location could be more appropriate to photograph and celebrate this tiny orchid during its bloom..

I can remember about 4 to 5 years back almost stepping on this little plant while photographing warblers along a small spring seep under a dark and heavy canopy of trees.   Luckily,  I was looking down as I walked and noticed this little gem before we had a collision.   I had no idea it was an orchid,  but I was curious and zoomed in with my bird lens and took a shot with the flash.

I then continued my “avian mode” the rest of the day.   Later that evening I processed the image file and did a little research to discover its ID and became excited as to what I had found.   This discovery had a major influence on my desire to have the appropriate gear for both Avian and MACRO close at hand during my forest outings from that day on.

The Small Green Wood Orchid is capable of “self-pollination”,  although various insects can be seen visiting this plant any time.   The flowers are zygomorphic,  and the labellum is lobed and has a spur. Depending on geographical location,  Platanthera clavellata can flower between June and August in most regions.   I must say the buds last much longer than the flowers themselves.

Canon EOS 5D Mark III body,  Canon EF 100mm f2.8L MACRO lens,  Aputure Amaran F7 LED light,
Kirk Focusing Rail,  Induro CT 214 tripod  and the Really Right Stuff BH 40 Ballhead

ildflower photography,  and especially capturing wild orchids,  can be fun,  but sometimes a tedious process, however the end results make the effort worthwhile.   Working in MACRO (extreme close-up work and often in a 1.1 ratio) adds a definite challenge to the process.  I also use the “focus stacking” process for the majority of my work using a very shallow “depth of field” (what’s in focus and what is not)  trying to omit unsightly backgrounds,  or just for that lovely “Bokeh” (blur) putting more emphasis on my subject for less distractions to the viewers eye.

However, with the use of the shallow depth of field,  and especially at such a close approach,  it’s almost impossible to get the entire flower in focus thus requiring the technique of focus stacking which consists of capturing multiple images, masking only the sharp areas and combining them in a stack to create a final image.   Luckily today the process is fairly automated with modern software like Adobe’s Photoshop and Lightroom.   I won’t go into with the details as there are plenty of tutorials on the web.

The LED readout of color temperature and percentage in power of the Aputure Amaran F7 LED
and using the Kirk Rail to make tiny adjustments in focus for the stack of captures…

I use the technique pictured above and many others for my wildflower photography with a wide selection of camera bodies,  lenses,  lighting and support.   I use only the “full frame” sensor bodies including the Canon EOS 5D,  5D Mark III  and 5D Mark IV.

Lenses include the Canon “L” series,  Sigma Art series,  Zeiss Milvus (Distagon) series  and the “new guy on the block”,   IRIX whose 150 mm MACRO has become a “Go-to” for more occasions than not.

Lighting includes both flash and LED and sometimes multiple sources “off camera” of one or the other.  Focus is “always” manual and never “auto”.  The same goes for white balance, ISO and exposure.  You do not want any thing to change during the capture of a “focus stack”.   If your shooting using natural light and it changes even slightly,  you start the stack over from square one.

Liparis loeselii,  or the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid,  was yet another amazing find by my friend Merry Stinson and within the Michaux State Forest.   She discovered this specimen,  and a small group of others in a small isolated wet area located next to a stand of pines nearby one of the forest reservoirs that simulated a small bog,  but lacked any other bog type plant species,  so I decided to include this orchid species with my woodland orchid collection.   The orchid’s normal habitat includes moist meadows, fens, and bogs, as well as shorelines and moist disturbed areas.  This orchid is considered “Globally secure” but is rare throughout most of its range.

The fruit/seed pods of the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid

Liparis loeselii,  is another one of the orchid species that is extremely inconspicuous and due to its small size is easy to wander by on your botanical outings.   For the same reason,  its actual populations are truly unknown.   As far as pollination, t he orchid is autogamous (self-fertilization} and this is accomplished as the flower ages.  Again, depending on geographical location the zygomorphic flowers appear between June and July.

The flowers of Liparis loeselii close up..

Photographing the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid became an “Adventure” on my second outing in the Michaux State Forest.   Due to it’s small size,  and my desire not to just “shoot down” at my subject,   I had to lie prone on the wet ground subjecting myself to what ever “creepy crawlers” inhabited the area and unfortunately,  this is how most of my small plant photography takes place.   I normally keep myself well saturated with tick repellent both on my clothes and exposed skin and “knock on wood”,  so far,  these tiny insects have yet to be an issue.

While photographing the orchid,  I felt a little bit of weight moving across my back and was alarmed to see a 4 foot Timber Rattlesnake crossing over my prone body and then pause for a second or two, give me a look and then continue on his way,  most likely thinking how lucky I was .  I’ve had numerous encounters with this species and others,  but never so “up close and personal”.

The images of the Liparis loeselii,  or the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchid presented above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D (original),   the Sigma 180mm f2.8 MACRO, and Canon EF 100mm f2.8L MACRO lens,  lighting with the Canon 580Ex Speedlight,  support included the Induro CT 214 8X carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH40 Ballhead.

Spiranthes cernua,  or the Nodding Ladies’ Tresses orchid is just one of the Spiranthes genus found in our state and is widely distributed across the coastal plain and southern Appalachian chain.   The ones presented here were very close to the Loesel’s Wide Lipped Orchids pictured above, and along the shoreline of the same Michaux State Forest reservoir in a moist meadow habitat.   In fact,  they’re sometimes hard to reach without a good pair of muck boots.   During a few recent years the reservoir water levels literally cover the majority of the location at times.   The grasses can be saturated with ticks so repellent is a must and a “self-check” is the order of the day after any outing.

The “tightly twisted” spirals of the blooms of the Nodding Ladies’ Tresses orchid before full bloom

I’d love to spend more time in pursuit for other members of the Spiranthes genus and plan to as I find the opportunities.   I’ve been photographing the ones here at this location over the past six years and enjoy them immensely.   The image above,  “tightly twisted” was captured several years before the more recent pictured here.

A solitary blooming Spiranthes cernua isolated form the rest..

Normal habitats for this orchid include Bogs,  disturbed habitats,   fens,  marshes,  meadows and woodlands.   Pollination can take place through autogamy and agamospermy;  however,  the Yellow Bumble Bee,   Common Eastern Bumble Bee and Yellow-banded Bumble Bee are known insect pollinators,    along with a few unidentified bees.   This orchid is a favorite of some crab spiders as pictured below hiding behind a bloom at the top of the plant.

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses orchid with a Crab Spider friend hiding at the top

This is an orchid of the late summer and early fall and depending on geographical location,  reaches full bloom between August and October,  extending my wild orchid photography opportunities along with many other “late season” wildflowers I like to pursue,  especially the Gentians.   Below is a closer view of the lovely blooms of Spiranthes cernua…

All of the images above were captured with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the new IRIX 150mm f 2.8 MACRO lens,  with the exception of the second image “tightly twisted”,  which was photographed with the original Canon EOS 5D and the Canon EF 100mm MACRO; and it was also the older and original version of that lens,  and was captured with flash.    Lighting for the newer images was using the Aputure Amaran F7 LED light source( single).   Support was the Induro CT 214 Tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH 40 Ballhead.

ow is the time to add a bit of colorful drama to the remaining wild Woodland Orchid species and those that really “stand out”,   and draw attention from the average passerby.   Unlike the demurer ones above that blend well into their surroundings well,  the following are far more popular,  and sometimes a little too much so to inspire picking and poaching of the plants for personal gardening and commercial sales.   Like the ones above,  there are still many species I pursue to capture photographically.

Galearis spectabilis, or commonly known as the Showy Orchid,  can be found across central and eastern Canada,   then south from Quebec to Oklahoma.   The ones pictured here were photographed in the southernmost portion of the Michaux State Forest in Franklin County Pennsylvania,   and just above the Maryland state line,   just a few yards off  the famous and well traveled Appalachian Trail.   My fore-mentioned friend, Merry Stinson recently introduced me to another location,  not too far above this one,  that I hope to visit more often  this spring.  I also have several locations in Dauphin and Lancaster County Pennsylvania that host this lovely plant.

The buds of the Showy Orchid faintly presenting the pink/purple sepals and inner petals

Galearis spectabilis prefers dry to moist forest and woodland ecosystems,  and the ones I discover most often,  seem to prefer rocky trail edges and sometimes near the bases of large and older hardwoods.   I’ve also found them thriving along roadsides,  especially gravel.   They’re easily distinguished from other orchid species by their 2 basal leaves and distinctive multiple flowers.  Like many species of wildflowers,  the best photography occurs freshly after the bloom and before rains tatter and discolor their petals.

A Showy Orchid near the base of a hardwood among the scatter of leaves…

This orchid is pollinated by a variety of Bumble Bee Queens,  to include the Yellow Bumble Bee,  Brown-belted Bumble Bee,  Common Eastern Bumble Bee,  Nevada Bumble Bee,  American Bumble Bee and Half-Back Bumble Bee.   In Canada, a smaller orchard typed bee, the Mason Bee is an important pollinator.

A Showy Orchid of the Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania

The zygomorphic flowers bloom from May to June depending on Geographical location and elevation,  Above is a closer view of the lovely blooms.   The base petals are white with others of pink to a deep purple. Plant height ranges from 5 to 35 centimeters and can be easy to overlook,   even with the colorful appearance.   The Showy Orchid is purely a favorite of mine.

A closeup of the Showy Orchid Bloom

The above images of the Showy Orchid were photographed with the original Canon EOS 5D and the Sigma 180mm f 2.8 MACRO prime,  which replaced my Canon EF 180mm f3.5L MACRO due to its superior color rendition, sharpness and lovey BOKEH from its 8 bladed diaphragm.   Lighting was by the Canon 580EX Speedlight using a Sto-fen diffuser.   Support was the Induro CT 214 carbon-fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH 40 Ballhead.

Cypripedium acaule,  commonly known as the Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid or Moccasin Flower,  is likely the most cherished and photographed of our wild orchid species,  and is widely distributed across the eastern United States,  eastern to central Canada,  from Alabama to the Northwest Territories.

There is no shortage of this colorful orchid in our nearby Michaux State Forest although they can be somewhat hard to find at times,  and most of us who know their locations keep a “hushed” attitude and hardly ever share the spots with the general public due to the tendency of folks wanting to pick them,  dig them up for the home garden  or outright poaching,    Cultivating these orchids from the wild plant is hardly ever successful and most all of these plants take a number of years till their first flowering.

Early stage of the Moccasin Flower before maturity and full bloom …

Unlike most wild orchids generally pursued with the knowledge of isolated habitats and ecosystems,  the Pink Lady’s Slipper can appear seemingly anywhere,  and within a various habitat reference including Bogs, forests, barrens, swamps and woodlands,  as long as a much needed fungi is available for their existence.

I’ve found this orchid in a mixture of woodlands consisting of Pines,  confers and hardwoods.   During their bloom spotting them is fairly simple if not hidden by grasses or shrubs as their magenta/red flower sticks out like a sore thumb in the more open spaces.   It’s always exciting to find them.   At times you can find solitary plants and other times in colonies.

Pollination of this orchid is by the same Bumble Bees listed above with the addition of the Ashton Cuckoo Bumble Bee,  Northern Amber Bumble Bee and Fernald Cuckoo Bumble Bee.   However,  the process takes place through deception as the bees are lured to the flower by their bright color and sweet scent and  find little reward for the bee itself.   After it enters the flower the bee becomes trapped with only a single exit and during the bee’s frantic escape releases the pollen.   Bees learn to avoid this flower resulting in low pollination rates for many of them.

Dueling Ladies along the Michaux State Forest floor…

The zygomorphic flowering of the Cypripedium acaule occurs between May and July based on geographical location as a single bloom sits above two basal leaves close to the ground. The height of the plant ranges from 10 to 61 centimeters.  I find the best photography opportunities occur on bright overcast days to keep the rich colors from over-saturating, however in the shade I will often use artificial light.

There are other members of the Cypripedium genus of orchids native to the United states including Cypripedium kentuckiense (Kentucky Lady Slipper Orchid), Cypripedium montanum (Northwest Mountain Lady Slipper Orchid), Cypripedium parviflorum var. parviflorum (Small Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid), Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens (Large Yellow Lady Slipper Orchid), Cypripedium reginae (Showy Lady Slipper Orchid) and the Cypripedium reginae ‘Alba’ (White Showy Lady Slipper Orchid), all of which I hope to pursue.

Photography of the above Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchids,  including the “title image” at the beginning of this article took place over a number of years and captured with both the original Canon EOS 5D and EOS 5D III using a variety of lenses and techniques.  Most were captured using “natural” light.

Platanthera ciliaris,  or the Orange Fringed Bog Orchid,  and sometimes noted simply as the Yellow or Orange-fringed Orchid,  is widely distributed throughout central to eastern Canada and the United States,  from Florida to Ontario,  and then along the Gulf Coast to Texas.   Colors can vary from a pale yellow to a dense orange based on soil nutrients and habitat.

This is the first large and showy fringed orchid I was introduced to by a close friend pictured by the “title” image above captured along a roadside and popular fly-fishing stream in Dauphin County Pennsylvania some years back. (2012)

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation almost destroyed the location by filling the ditch with heavy rocks to curtail erosion and protect the roadway.  Luckily and amazingly new plants emerged a little farther up the embankment in areas that remained moist.   I still visit this location on a yearly basis.

The image below is a budding plant from the same location photographed last summer. (2019)

A budding Platanthera ciliaris, Dauphin County Pennsylvania

Also last summer,  I was slowly exploring a gravel forest road that I had yet to travel over my years visiting the Michaux State Forest when I caught a glimpse of yellow down an embankment while looking and listening for warblers and was excited and amazed to find two blooming plants of the Orange Fringed Bog Orchid,  and the first I have ever seen in this forest so close to home.   As I mentioned before,  I always take a camera and MACRO lenses along during my avian photography outings,  so I packed up some gear and carefully descended down the steep bank.   These orchids were growing in a small wet boggy spot near a fallen tree of which I had to carefully move aside some of the rotting limbs to photograph the orchids.   I am excited about this coming summer and hopefully finding them again,  especially since I noted a few other interesting plants around too.

Orange Fringed Bog Orchid,  Michaux State Forest,  Pennsylvania

This orchid is pollinated by butterfly’s including the Monarch Butterfly,  Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly,  Black Swallowtail Butterfly,  Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly, Striped Hairstreak Butterfly and the Whitelined Sphinx Moth as they carry pollen from flower to flower while they search for nectar.

The Orange Fringed Bog Orchid van be found in a variety of ecosystems including the moist areas of Bogs, disturbed habitats, marshes, meadows, prairie and savanna.

Michaux State Forest, Pennsylvania

Platanthera ciliaris flowers between July and September based on Geographical location and elevation.  For a better idea,  the ones photographed in the Michaux State Forest were captured on July 26^th, 2019  and the one from Dauphin County on July 16th 2019,  ten days apart and was not quite in full bloom.   I usually start looking for these during the first week in July and throughout the month and beyond.   The plants are normally between 30 and 100 centimeters in height.

Platanthera ciliaris, Michaux State Forest, Franklin County, Pennsylvania

The images of the Orange Fringed Orchids above (with the exception of the “title image” were captured with the Canon EOS 5D Mark III and the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L MACRO prime lens using flash from the Canon 430EX Speedlight with diffusion, The title image was captured with the original Canon EOS 5D and the Sigma 180mm f2.8 MACRO prime lens and the Canon 580EX Speedlight .Support was the Induro CT 214 carbon fiber tripod and the Really Right Stuff BH 40 Ballhead…

s mentioned in my introduction above, My “endeavor of passion” and exploration for wild woodland orchids will continue and this post will be constantly added to and updated as I continue “this work in progress” over the upcoming years with new species and I will note ant events of such…. Just remember to “keep a tight lip” on orchid locations by generalizing and never “exact” to protect these lovely species for all to enjoy and discover on their own.

This article and post is dedicated to,  and with My Loving Memory of,  best friend and mentor,  “in more ways than one”,
Elmer H. Schweitzer
1923 – 2017

Woodland Orchids
March 2020

Exploring our natural world can be rewarding and an educational experience.  Things are constantly changing with the seasons so every outing poses new experiences and discoveries. Exploring and photographing wildflowers throughout the spring,  summer and fall months can yield a variety of species to keep the most avid nature photographer busy composing and clicking away at the camera’s shutter and capturing lovely colorful images of many shapes and sizes in a broad spectrum of habitats. But to the aspiring naturalist/photographer like me, capturing an image of a pretty wildflower is just a part of the adventure and fun.

Learning to identify the species,  their natural history, original origin (native or non-native) and adaptation to their habitat;  along with their interaction with human kind and wildlife can compliment the overall experience and at times can become quite fascinating.  It’s truly amazing that a small thing with such a “short-lived beauty” can contribute so much to our daily existence, whether it is a food source, herbal or medicinal in value.

I was brought up with rich Native American roots by a grandmother who would very often practice her Lakota ways and teach me that every living thing;  plant or animal; had a special purpose and place in our natural world.  Over the past years I have developed an interest in plants and wildflowers and began to research their contributions to  Native Americans and the early settlers.

Sanguinaria canadensis (Bloodroot)

Sanguinaria canadensis or Bloodroot (common name) is one of the first beautiful wildflowers to emerge in the early spring;  usually blooming from March to May and is native to our eastern North American woodlands from Nova Scotia south to Florida where it can be found blooming in the rich woodland soil… Bloodroot is an ephemeral, indicating that it appears above the ground in the early spring,  flowers,  fruits and then dies back to the ground;  all in the space of a couple of months.  Bloodroot is a member of the Papaveraceae family, along with the poppy…. Sanguinaria Canadensis is the sole member of its genus.

Bloodroot has become a desired addition to many home gardens but as of today, the bloodroot is on the US Department of Agriculture’s list of threatened and endangered species. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia monitors the status of its bloodroot population to prevent illegal poaching. The white blooms of the bloodroot emerge wrapped in a single leaf. (below)  Plants reach 6 to 9 inches high.  The 3-inch blossoms,  which have 8 to 12 petals,  are amazingly large for a spring wildflower and only last for one or two days. The leaves are bluish-gray in color,  6 to 12 inches across,  and scalloped in 5 to 9 uneven lobes.  The leaves persist longer than the flowers,  but disappear by early summer.

An interesting fact is that the bloodroot relies on ants to spread its seeds.  This is called myrmecochory by botanist and the large black seeds attract ants through an organ called an elaiosome.  The ants will  carry the seeds to their nests and then consume the elaiosomes, discarding the seeds in their nest material and providing an ideal environment for germination. Bloodroot does not present any type of nectar,  but it cleverly tricks pollinators into transporting pollen with its display of bright yellow anthers inside the large white petals.  I have observed the presence of ants many times around the base of the mature plants.

Puccoon,   A Native American History

Bloodroot is also known as bloodwort or Canada puccoon.  The Algonquin tribe called bloodroot puccoon or paucon,  which meant “blood-red.”   “Puccoon” is one of many American plant names to have a Native American etymology;  as it comes from the Powhatan Indian word poughkone or pohcoons,  which was recorded by early Virginia colonists as meaning “red paint” or “red dye.”  Both this Indian name and the English name “bloodroot” come about because of the red sap bled by the roots of these wildflowers,  which was used by many tribes as a dye for clothing and baskets and for face paint.

The Chippewa would dig up the roots in the fall and used the sap to make brilliant red dyes.   The Iroquois extracted the rhizomes of the bloodroot to make an orange or yellow fabric dye. Other tribes used the red sap to decorate baskets and clothing.  European settlers quickly adopted the use of bloodroot as a fabric dye.  In the early years of North American settlement, bloodroot was even imported by the French for the purpose of dyeing wool.

Bloodroot has also been widely used by Native American people as a poison (the bloodroot plant is extremely toxic) and,  in small doses,  as an herbal medication.  In some of the Algonquin communities,  bloodroot was associated with romance,  and men would wear bloodroot paint when they went courting.  It was also been used as a charm.  The young men of the Ponca tribe would put the juice of the root on their palm and contrive to shake hands with the maiden they desired to marry and within five or six days she would be a willing mate. However,  applying the root or juice to the skin was a questionable activity as the plant is known to be an escharotic; a substance that kills tissue.

The early medicinal uses of bloodroot were acquired from  Native Americans living in the Lake Superior region . . . as well as the Cherokee further to the south;  however the Cherokee tended to prefer the goldenseal.  Both plants were called puccoon,  red puccoon and yellow puccoon.  Both are strong herbs with significant alkaloids that have been shown to be extremely effective in treating a wide range of conditions and included the flesh destroying properties of the root sap or powered root for treating conditions of the skin such as ringworm, warts, polyps, fungal growths and skin cancers.

Today bloodroot is used in herbal remedies with very small doses,  primarily for bronchial problems and severe throat infections.  Many pharmaceuticals use the root mixed with other compounds to treat heart problems and to treat migraines.  Bloodroot paste is used externally for skin diseases,  warts, and tumors.  Bloodroot is said to repel insects.  The root is used in as an anesthetic,  cathartic,  emetic,  emmenagogue,  expectorant,  diuretic,  febrifuge,  sedative, stimulant and tonic.  Researchers are investigating the root’s value in cancer treatment.  The chief chemical component of this herb is sanguinarine, which actually represents a group of alkaloids that produce effects similar to morphine.

The FDA considers bloodroot “unsafe” and urges that it not be used by herbal healers. However,  an extract has long been used in toothpaste and mouthwash to fight plaque and gingivitis and this use is now sanctioned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Although bloodroot alkaloids are noted as antibacterial,  sanguinarine has been found to be less effective than other anti-plaque agents,  such as chlorhexidine and doxycycline.  The internal use of bloodroot is now banned in most countries and largely limited to homeopathic preparations elsewhere due to the toxic effects of sanguinarine.

Where to find Bloodroot

Bloodroot prefers a humus-rich soil that is well-drained with high organic matter content.  Its natural habitat includes deep shaded areas surrounded by tall hardwood trees where other compatible woodland plants grow such as Jack-in-the-pulpit, mayapple, trillium, and wild ginger.  Adequate moisture is important throughout its growing season.  It can also be found along roadsides and disturbed areas with partial sunlight,  but again moisture and the proper soil pH play an important factor.  While in some isolated areas, the plants can be locally abundant,  bloodroot are generally considered somewhat rare.

My first exposure to bloodroot was along the Blue Ridge Parkway several years back on a return trip home to Pennsylvania after a visit to Texas.  I had noticed this species before here in Pennsylvania but never paid much attention to it other than to remark on its beauty.  We took a little detour from our normal route on the interstate to add a lovely diversion and variety to what had become such a routine route of annual travel.  The parkway is quite beautiful in the early spring,  with sparse traffic and abundant  early spring blooms.  We traveled the section from Cherokee North Carolina (Great Smoky Mountains National Park) to Roanoke Virginia.  I observed bloodroot at numerous locations along the route along with many other mountain and woodland wildflowers.

I have since discovered numerous locations for bloodroot and several are less than a 10 minute drive from my home and all located within some of my favorite birding and avian photography hotspots.  The Kowomu Trail (Sawmill Road) in northern Carroll County Maryland has been productive over the past few years,  although I didn’t see as many plants this year.  I found large patches along Morningstar Road off PA Route 216 just south of Codorus State Park in southern York County Pennsylvania.

Other productive areas included the Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve  (A recent blog post), and along nearby River Road;  especially in the Tuquan Natural Area.  Elmer and I photographed a few along a trail off US Route 322 in upper Lancaster County Pennsylvania near the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  The wooded sections of Middle Creek have a nice population as well.

Photographing the bloodroot plant and bloom is fun but can present quite a challenge.  As with any subject “white” in color,  proper exposure is critical for maximum detail and definition in the petals.  Shooting in shaded areas at limited depth of field (high F-stop numbers) can require longer exposures and a good tripod is an essential addition to the camera and lens.

Unwanted hotspots from spattered sunlight combined with choppy shadows can wreak havoc on a lovely scene with blown highlights and dense shadows fostering undesired contrast and harsh images.  The use of fill flash is almost a necessity.

I mostly always use a flash for one reason or another and just vary the shutter at the desired aperture for a gentle fill with variations of allowed ambient light.  The nice thing is that the plant isn’t going anywhere during your photo session so talking your time and bracketing exposures can be rewarding in the end.

Most importantly with any and all wildflower photography is to have fun and learn a little more about the species other than just capturing the image.

Jim Flowers

Snow Trillium (Trillium navale)

The year 2012 has been a fantastic adventure for “Birds and Blooms” on my part.  I practically dedicated my entire spring to photographing the flora of my area,  Texas and a few select areas of the southeast.

A few years back,  a fellow photographer and friend,  Mary Konchar from Cambridge Maryland,  introduced me to a brilliant 89-year-old “youngster” by the name of Elmer Schweitzer.  Elmer and I share a love for birds,  but his passion for photographing wildflowers,  especially wild orchids and his love for,  knowledge of and dedication to the conservation of the species is overwhelming.  Elmer and I hit it off right away with our old school attitudes towards the craft of photography and our love for the natural world. I knew very little about plants and blooms,  but I’ve had a fascination for many years.  And now “picking” Elmer’s brain has been and continues to be an adventure.  I do my best to reciprocate for Elmer’s sharing of his friendship,  knowledge and direction by helping him find and photograph birds as well as a little tutelage of digital post processing, but my attempts only underscore his generosity!  Elmer’s personality is a “Hoot” as well!  Everyday spent with this gentle soul ends with a smile and a yearning anticipation for the next outing.

Since joining the Wildlife South staff as a writer, photographer, and photographic forums moderator,  my curiosity for flora has “blossomed” (pardon the pun) and I developed an interest in the genus of Trillium which includes 40 to 50 species of spring ephemeral perennials.  A recent Wildlife South article, “Trillium in the South” by Will Stuart enhanced my interest in this species.   I was fascinated by the names Wake-robin, tri flower and birthroot and especially any medicinal uses by Native Americans as so many of the plant species have to offer.  Folklore suggests that Trillium was used to facilitate childbirth and to treat other female problems by the women of many Native American tribes.  Trillium root was considered to be a sacred female herb and they only spoke of it to their medicine women.

I had mentioned the genus and my interest to Elmer on occasion and he responded with excitement on sharing his knowledge of  “secret spots”  and well-known locations to find the species.  One of which was the smallest, earliest and rarest of the family, the Snow Trillium.  Our adventure and quest for the Snow Trillium began with an early morning rise and a long trip west on the Pennsylvania turnpike towards Pittsburgh and New Stanton.  I will not divulge the exact location as it is not mine to share. However, this species can be found in several locations in western Pennsylvania, with a few being well-known and popular.  Ours were located on a hillside along an old railroad grade beside a creek. Trillium navale or Snow Trillium are considered rare and threatened and can only found in the counties of Beaver, Allegheny, Westmoreland, Washington, Indiana and Armstrong in Pennsylvania as of today.  It is one of the first wildflowers to emerge during March and April and as the name suggests, the blooms can be found with snow still on the ground.

Snow Trillium (Trillium navale)

We were very pleased to “hit it just right” and find a nice collection of plants and blooms at this location although some had been stomped down by less knowledgeable human sightseers.  Elmer gets quite “red-faced” with disgust when he finds a lack of consideration or appreciation for his beloved wildflowers.  He is always very passionate with me about “treading lightly” and paying close attention to where I step.  I respect and admire that!  I can picture a few times in the past where I might have destroyed a few plants by accident for my lack of cautious footing.  We spent a good two hours here photographing the blooms and enjoying their presence.  We concluded our day with a side trip to Ohiopyle State Park and the falls of the Youghiogheny River.

My next exploration for the Trillium species would be a pleasant addition to the end to our annual spring pilgrimage home to the Texas Gulf coast with a little side trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina on the return to Pennsylvania.  We spent the night in Pigeon Forge Tennessee and with an early morning departure, began the trek along the drive in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and then continued northward towards Asheville North Carolina.  The drive was lovely with very little traffic so pulling off for a few pictures was an ease.  One of these days I would like to do the entire length from Virginia to Tennessee or vice versa with ample time to thoroughly enjoy this scenic route.  There is so much to see and do.

Besides looking for Trillium,  I was fascinated by the Bluets, Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx-Thymeleaf bluet (Quaker Ladies, Blue-eyed Babies) blooming among the drips of the rocky outcroppings along the drive.  The species Houstonia is named for William Houston, a botanist in the early 1700’s who is also known as the man who introduced buddleia into cultivation.  These tiny gems were fun to observe and photograph. (Pictured below)

Thymeleaf Bluet (Houstonia serpyllifolia Michx)

Another interesting find was a species of Indian Paintbrush, castilleja coccinea that closely resembles our Texas species, Castilleja indivisa with the same name.  The Indian Paintbrush and the Texas Bluebonnet, Lupinus texensis are the jewels of the Texas spring wildflower season.  There were other notable species but the list is too lengthy to give all their due as Trillium was my primary quest.

As we descended in elevation, we began to find the first and only Trillium species visible along this portion of the drive, roadside within the ravines of the hardwood forested sections, Trillium grandiflorum with common names including Large-flower wakerobin, Large-flowered trillium and White trillium.  There were numerous sightings along the drive but not many locations were easily accessible for safely pulling off to the side of the road for photography.  But I did manage to find a couple of spots for a nice picture or two. (below)  We enjoyed the rest of the drive and exited just south of Roanoke Virginia to continue our trip home on the much faster interstate highways.

Large-flowered trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)

Returning home and back to the weekly grind of work brought more weekend outings with Elmer and continued Trillium seeking adventures along with other wildflowers from our area.

Elmer had mentioned a location in Lancaster County that I had driven by many times without ever a thought of stopping for a visit,  more less knowing that it was a Trillium hotspot.  It’s called the Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve owned by the PPL Energy Corporation along the Susquehanna River.  I will include a  link for the preserve at the bottom of this article.

The preserve is located within a rich ravine habitat housing a small tributary flowing into the Susquehanna River.  Following Shenk’s Ferry road from River road you will descend into a valley and enter a small bumpy dirt affair leading through a dark old railroad tunnel and on to the trail head and parking areas.  You can find brochures for the area at the trail head.  The tempered climate due to the steepness and depth of the ravine creates a diverse and gentle eco-system and environment allowing the may species of wildflowers to flourish that grow there.  The species of Trillium found at the preserve include Trillium Erectum v. album,  Trillium flexipes or Trillium grandiflorum.  (Pictured below)

Wakerobin (Trillium Erectum v. album)

Drooping Wakerobin (Trillium flexipes)

Another predominant species is the Virginia Bluebell, (Mertensia Virgininica).  Visiting the preserve at just the right time can present one with a swath of white and blue color lining the ravine with a visual splendor.  Other wildflowers found within the preserve include the round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica americana) , Eastern Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis),  Dutchman’s breeches (Dicentra cucullaria), Squirrel Corn (Dicentra canadensis), Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum), Trout lily  (Erythronium americanum), the Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica,), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Early saxifrage (Saxifraga virginiensis) and an invasive exotic, Ranunculus ficaria, Lesser celandine.

Elmer and I spent several hours at the preserve exploring and photographing the Trillium and a few of the other species.  I was like a child in a candy store and forever badgering Elmer’s expertise.  I’m sure he felt like a walking Encyclopedia.  We ended this outing at the Lancaster County Park and a lovely garden known as the “Garden of Five Senses”.  The garden is dazzling with color throughout the year, and during spring and summer, its flowers provide a bouquet of scents.   The garden sits on a hill overlooking the Conestoga River and is open to the public year round.

Elmer wanted to introduce me to another species of Trillium as well as some variations to one we had already photographed.  This was “home turf” to Elmer as his original residence was in Lancaster city.

Elmer had to use a stick to part the surrounding plants to expose the new species, Toadshade trillium (Trillium sessile).  The variation of the previous species at Shenk’s Ferry was the red version of the Wakerobin (Trillium Erectum).  Both were lovely and are pictured below.  What a wonderful and educational day it had been.

Toadshade Trillium (Trillium sessile)

Wakerobin red (Trillium Erectum)

My final lesson on the Trillium and the discovery of another species to add to my list was during a trip to photograph the Showy Orchis (Galearis spectabilis), Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium acaule) and the Yellow Lady’s-Slipper Orchid (Cypripedium calceolus) in upper Lancaster County Pennsylvania and the hills near the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.  During our hike to Elmer’s secret treasure trove of orchids he pointed out the Nodding Wakerobin, Trillium cernuum.  It was tiny with the bloom under its large leaves.  I would have passed it by without hesitation and hardly a notice.  It is pictured below.

Nodding Wakerobin (Trillium cernuum)

For a new Trillium species, we hope to travel north and eastward this coming spring to photograph the Painted Trillium, Trillium undulatum, the most colorful and the loveliest of the genus.  Elmer states “He knows where to find them” and I’m excited!

My knowledge of wildflowers is forever growing and I can successfully ID many species through a network of reference materials I have put together over the past months.  But it’s a “heck of a lot more fun” to pick the brain of my friend and enjoy his dry wit at the same time! I hope you enjoyed our Trillium adventures.

Jim Flowers

For more information on the Shenk’s Ferry Wildflower Preserve…. Go Here!