2014 Spring Wildflower Thread

[nartreb]

Drive carefully folks...

 

[Snowflea]

No photos but I am still smiling after today's hike, in a certain northern White Mtn locale. . We counted 430 lady slippers over 15 miles. Most of them were within ~8 miles or so, however. All pinks and whites, no yellows. They are so beautiful!

A new PR for us!!

Also crossed paths with the biggest black bear we've ever seen in the wild!

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Alpine Flowers on Mount Washington 6-11-14

I cheated. I took a ride to "The Cow pasture" and hiked the Alpine Garden from there. The display of Diapensia Diapensia lapponica, Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicumbetween 4 and 5000' is near peak!

Diapensia Diapensia lapponica Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @35mm ISO100 f/16 1/80sec

Diapensia Diapensia lapponica Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicum Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @70mm ISO100 f/10 1/160sec

Diapensia Diapensia lapponica Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicum Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @17mm ISO100 f/16 1/60sec

Diapensia Diapensia lapponica Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @55mm ISO100 f/6 1/60sec

Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicum Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @17mm ISO100 f/8 1/100sec

Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicum Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @70mm ISO100 f/16 1/40sec

Diapensia Diapensia lapponica Lapland Rosebay Rhododendron lapponicum Nikon D600 Sigma 17-70mm @26mm ISO100 f/11 1/160sec

KDT

 

[nartreb]

Saturday on Mt Jefferson.

Diapensia is past prime but there is still lots of it:

Dwarf cornel is blooming at multiple elevations:

Foamflower at the bottom of Castle Ravine:

Lady's slipper. This photo taken in the dusk on my way out, shot at ISO 6400 (no flash)

 

[John in NH]

Kevin-- having being injured for months this spring I especially appreciated seeing the rhodora around carter ledge and the alpine garden stuff. The Chocorua trails are some of the whites finest and most dramatic. Those were two places I had to scratch off my list this spring with much sadness.

Those looking for showy lady slippers might find them this week at Eshqua Bog in Eastern Vermont not far from the Woodstock/Quechee area. No secret they exist there as they advertise them on the website so I don't think I am letting any secrets out. I was there a few days ago, and out of the hundreds there, only this group even had started to flower. I would say they will be out this week, maybe still this upcoming weekend (6/21) depending how long blooms last. The trails are short (only like half a mile total I think) so plan something else in the area, does not justify much of a drive.

Showy lady slippers about to bloom:

Had to settle for this particularly vibrant deep pink lady slipper in bloom with rain drop:

On the Appalachian Trail nearby the raspberry bushes were in bloom along with orange and yellow hawkweed. Also was surprised to encounter about 10 thru hikers already. Signs of approaching summer in New England for sure!

Stopped by the Philbrick Cricenti Bog in New London and noticed the pitcher plants had their flower stalks:

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Thank you John, you've had some great shots as well!

Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus corniculatus and Maiden Pink Dianthus deltoides

Showy Lady Slipper Cypripedium retinae at Eshqua Bog Natural Area

Showy Lady Slipper Cypripedium retinae at Eshqua Bog Natural Area

Showy Lady Slipper Cypripedium retinae at Eshqua Bog Natural Area

Showy Lady Slipper Cypripedium retinae at Eshqua Bog Natural Area

Rose Pogonia Pogonia ophioglossoides on Powow River, Kingston, NH

Rose Pogonia Pogonia ophioglossoides on Powow River, Kingston, NH

Fragrant Water Lily Nymphaea odorata on Powow River, Kingston, NH

Grass Pink Calopogon tuberosus at Philbrick-Cricenti Bog

Grass Pink Calopogon tuberosus at Philbrick-Cricenti Bog

White-fringed Bog-orchid Platanthera blephariglottis at Philbrick-Cricenti Bog

KDT

 

[Technetium]

I'm late posting these... took these back in June:

Pink Lady's Slippers, near Wildcat Mountain just off the trail to Thompson Falls

And a couple from Valley Road near Mt Jefferson. I have yet to get confirmation anywhere on what the yellow flowers are, but google seems to suggest they are wild parsnips, also known as giant hogweed. The purple ones are obviously lupines.