June 14, 2011
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Montana Outdoors
Moccasins or lady slippers are Minnesota’s state flower. I haven’t seen any for many years. They are much fewer in number than when I was a child, but I think I’ll make a point of going to where they most likely will be. I would love to see one again. Your photos are exquisite. Thank you for this lovely reminder of these sweet little beauties this June morning.
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Comment by Teresa Evangeline — June 15, 2011 @ 4:34 am
I would really miss them if they were not around. On a short hike last evening I saw lots of them along a mile stretch of a forest road, many more than usual, and very healthy looking plants.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:13 pm
I have only seen these once in the wild and your pictures reminded me of that beautiful area and how long ago it was that I visited. A nice memory and a good reminder of an area I should visit again. Your captures are so beautiful. Thank you!
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Comment by anniespickns — June 15, 2011 @ 7:09 am
They are intriguing little blossoms, aren’t they! A few years ago I started noting as a part of my photo records the locations where the photos were taken. There are quite a few flowers like these that I don’t want to miss.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:17 pm
Hi Montucky, I have never seen these wildlflowers. They look like they are a type of orchid but I could be wrong. Beautiful flowers! Have a wonderful day today!
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Comment by wildlifewatcher — June 15, 2011 @ 9:16 am
This particular species is found only in the 5 northwestern states plus California, Alaska and the three western provinces of Canada. I see on USDA Plants though that members of the genus (Cypripedium) are found in all states except Nevada. Yes, they are orchids and I think that makes them kind of special too.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:23 pm
Gorgeous stuff, Montucky. Love the double one. And such deep colors. We get pink or yellow varieties here. I think I like yours though — real character.
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Comment by Bo Mackison — June 15, 2011 @ 9:17 am
I wish I could see the other colors, but they don’t seem to grow here. These are large enough to be easily seen, although they will sometimes hide in other foliage.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:26 pm
I LOVE the photo with 2 blooms. (Moccasins belong in pairs anyway, don’t they?)
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Comment by Kim — June 15, 2011 @ 10:00 am
They do! This year I’ve seen more plants than usual with many flowers.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:28 pm
I agree with you … the lady slippers are definitely a Spring highlight. I have never found any like your variety around here – I wonder if there is any significance in the number of red spots in the yellow (besides adding character).
How large are these? I found the small yellow moccasin last week (size is about 1/2 my thumb). The large (several inches long) showy pink lady slippers (our State Flower) still has at least 6 inches to grow before it will bloom. I am looking forward to them to pop open in about 2 weeks. Thanks for sharing your slippers.
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Comment by bearyweather — June 15, 2011 @ 10:53 am
I’ve wondered about the red spots too. There doesn’t seem to be much of a pattern. These blossoms are about an inch long.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:29 pm
What an absolutely cool flower and great photos of it!!
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Comment by mitambien — June 15, 2011 @ 11:59 am
It has an interesting configuration, doesn’t it! I wonder how that came about!
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:42 pm
=() I thought you got really really close to a pregnant spider, at first! LoL!
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Comment by Tricia — June 15, 2011 @ 12:44 pm
Speaking of spiders, I can’t remember seeing the little crab spiders on any of these.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:47 pm
They’re missing in action… wonder what that means?
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Comment by Tricia — June 16, 2011 @ 7:20 am
Probably that I haven’t looked closely enough. LOL.
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Comment by montucky — June 16, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
Now, that is different, and very beautiful. I haven’t even seen them in books. The slippers here are also called moccasin flowers, but I never do.
I like how the dark part twirls like satin ribbon.
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Comment by sandy — June 15, 2011 @ 3:14 pm
I think they are beautiful too, and they are large enough to enjoy without magnification.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:48 pm
They are so pretty! I’ve never seen them blooming myself…. only in pictures.
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Comment by thedailyclick — June 15, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
They are even prettier seen in person and large enough to be able to see the detail.
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Comment by montucky — June 16, 2011 @ 11:35 pm
It was only about three years ago that I got my first good look at them and now I would be very sad to miss their blooming season.
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Comment by montucky — June 15, 2011 @ 9:51 pm
Boy did I ease into this one… with a title like moccasins there was a slight possibility of a snake somewhere. I much prefer the beautiful slippers over snakes!! 🙂
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Comment by kcjewel — June 16, 2011 @ 6:22 pm
Well, we don’t have that kind of moccasins in Montana. I like snakes, but prefer the ladyslippers too.
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Comment by montucky — June 16, 2011 @ 11:37 pm
Incredible flower, sigh. Thank You again presenting wonders of Your world.
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Comment by sartenada — June 16, 2011 @ 10:22 pm
I think this one is incredible too. What a design it has!
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Comment by montucky — June 16, 2011 @ 11:38 pm
The Mountain Ladyslipper is about the oddest and most intriguing wildflower….. like outside the box creativity by the Creator. 🙂
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Comment by Anna — June 17, 2011 @ 1:58 pm
Yes, it’s really different. I don’t understand exactly what purpose the big pouch serves or why there are stripes inside it.
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Comment by montucky — June 17, 2011 @ 9:38 pm
They are one of the prettiest and most unusual wildflowers you have been showing. And, I agree, they look more like ladyslippers than mocs.
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Comment by Candace — June 18, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
I agree. I really like these and it’s so nice this year to see so many of them and in so many different places.
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Comment by montucky — June 18, 2011 @ 8:53 pm