The Orchids are coming

Around this time of year orchids can be seen poking up through the leaf litter of the forests, and also along the moist peatlands(bogs) of the Adirondacks.

This WHITE-FRINGED ORCHIS Platanthera blepharigottis can be found at the Paul Smith’s College VIC:

This ROSE POGONIA Pogonia ophioglossoides can also be found in similar areas:

Look for Grass Pinks or Calapogon tuberosus on bogs:

Earlier in June this PINK LADIES SLIPPER Cypripedium acaule could be found in mixed hardwood/conifer forests:

And several bogs are home to this DRAGON’S MOUTH Arethusa bulbosa:

Photo Credits: (Top photo) Western Spotted Coralroot- Corallorhiza maculata, found along a trail in Henry’s Woods-Lake Placid.

All photos Brian McAllister

Just a little more patience

These rainy days highlight some of last years colors(wintergreen berries):

And with some patience we’ll eventually see shadebush -Amelanchier:

But as things open up, like these Hepatica flowers,

things seem to take on a beauty of their own(witch hobble leaves):

So let the rains fall soft upon the earth(red trillium),

…and fill our woods with the first hints of ephemeral color(Spring beauty),

Because this is not far behind!

All photos by Brian McAllister

Wordless Wednesday

Photo Credit: Wild Raisin (Viburnum cassinoides)  – Brian McAllister

The health of NY forests

Here’s a posting of interest from The Nature Conservancy :

http://www.nature.org/wherewework/northamerica/states/newyork/news/news3594.html

For the full 25 page report click here

And click here for a Summary of the 201o report.

Photo Credit: Forest regrowth-Brian McAllister

There’s still some green left

As November blows in from the North and often coats the woods in white, we can take comfort in knowing that green and other shades of color still lie under the snow waiting for the big melt next year.

Click on the moss names for pictures:

Delicate Fern Moss sitting on Broom Moss

Pin Cushion Moss

Mnium Moss w/spore capsules

Lung Lichen growing on a tree

British Soldier Lichen(Cladonia)

Top Photo: Red-stemmed moss (Pleurozium schreberi)-Brian McAllister

All photos-Brian McAllister