I don't know how many of you have a particular elusive specimen that you've been seeking, but I found mine today. Only recently have I begun actively looking for Lady Slippers, but I've never had much luck, or any luck for that matter. I never came across any in Arkansas, but I never bothered to ask anyone where to look. I thought dumb luck just might lead me to them. Turns out that was just dumb without the benefit of luck.
I went out to Raven Run yesterday and found the Columbine I was seeking, and I thought I might run across some Yellow Lady Slippers. My guidebook indicates that they are found statewide, but again I had no luck. A group of Thursday morning hikers told me I might find "the pink ones" at Red River Gorge. I had been planning a trip there anyway, so I made today the day. I actually went to shoot Paradise Falls which I'll post another time, but I thought maybe, just maybe.....
Six hours in the woods and no luck. I looked high and low and found not a single signs of the elusive lady slipper. It was a wonderful day in the woods. Beautiful overcast skies, very little wind. We had a good rain the night before; it was perfect.
So I hike out of the gorge, up the steep trail, and as things start to level out my mind starts to wander in to the "drive home" mode. About that time I glance down to the right and see two bright green, fuzzy elliptical leaves peeking up at me.
Though this specimen was not in bloom, I knew I might be close. As I scan the forest floor, I see several signs of the slippers, but no blooms to be found. Then, about twenty feet away, I see this gorgeous pink bloom sitting proudly about 10 inches above the ground, and I have my Lady Slipper.
After spending some time shooting it, I get the idea that I might find a small group of them to shoot. After all, the evidence of potential is all around me.
I ended up scanning the forest about 50 yards in both directions, and I didn't find a single other bloom anywhere. It seems this one was put there just for me. I'll take it!
Looks like a princess is missing something! Wish we had these pink ones in our area but I've never seen anything but yellow ones. I hear in other parts of the country the pink ones grow like weeds but they don't have any yellow ones. Great light...
Congratulations on your find, Dominic. I was out in the Ozarks all day yesterday and kept my eye out for Lady Slippers, but didn't see any. Your specimen looks about perfect, and you did an expert job capturing it.
Just beautiful Dominic. I've not found one yet, but I am just getting started with wildflowers. Got my Don Kurz book last night. Now I need a macro...... Thanks for sharing!
What a thrill that must have been...your title says it all. Congratulations...you should be passing out cigars!
I've heard that the pink ones prefer pine forested areas (more acidic soils I presume), while the yellows tend to like hardwoods. Were you in an area with many pines?
Bill, you are absolutely right. The pink ones prefer the acidic soil of a pine forest. Though there are many hardwoods in the area, the forest floor is covered with pine needles. And the yellows like the hardwoods as indicated by their presence in the Ozarks.
By the way, if any of you travel through eastern Kentucky I have to say that a stop in the Red River Gorge is a MUST DO! It is a spectacularly scenic place that I have only just begun to explore. I can get there in about an hour from Lexington, and I expect you will start seeing a lot more stuff from my exploration of a new playground. There are plenty of rock formations, with arches being the big draw, dense forests, creeks and streams, flora, etc, etc. Sounds pretty awful, huh.
Bill, you are absolutely right. The pink ones prefer the acidic soil of a pine forest. Though there are many hardwoods in the area, the forest floor is covered with pine needles. And the yellows like the hardwoods as indicated by their presence in the Ozarks.
By the way, if any of you travel through eastern Kentucky I have to say that a stop in the Red River Gorge is a MUST DO! It is a spectacularly scenic place that I have only just begun to explore. I can get there in about an hour from Lexington, and I expect you will start seeing a lot more stuff from my exploration of a new playground. There are plenty of rock formations, with arches being the big draw, dense forests, creeks and streams, flora, etc, etc. Sounds pretty awful, huh?
Very nice Dominic, wonderful job on a beautiful subject. After the CSNP spring gathering I have become much more interested in wildflower photography, (thanks to the very talented and knowledgeable guys I was around). I have a greater appreciation for ones excitement when discoveries like this occur. You have done the specimen great justice. Congrats
BRAVO!! Great shot Dominic. I think your trouble finding Lady Slippers up till now was because fate was leading you to a rendevous with this particular specimen. One thing is for sure, you made the most of your first opportunity!
Discussion
12 repliesI went out to Raven Run yesterday and found the Columbine I was seeking, and I thought I might run across some Yellow Lady Slippers. My guidebook indicates that they are found statewide, but again I had no luck. A group of Thursday morning hikers told me I might find "the pink ones" at Red River Gorge. I had been planning a trip there anyway, so I made today the day. I actually went to shoot Paradise Falls which I'll post another time, but I thought maybe, just maybe.....
Six hours in the woods and no luck. I looked high and low and found not a single signs of the elusive lady slipper. It was a wonderful day in the woods. Beautiful overcast skies, very little wind. We had a good rain the night before; it was perfect.
So I hike out of the gorge, up the steep trail, and as things start to level out my mind starts to wander in to the "drive home" mode. About that time I glance down to the right and see two bright green, fuzzy elliptical leaves peeking up at me.
Though this specimen was not in bloom, I knew I might be close. As I scan the forest floor, I see several signs of the slippers, but no blooms to be found. Then, about twenty feet away, I see this gorgeous pink bloom sitting proudly about 10 inches above the ground, and I have my Lady Slipper.
After spending some time shooting it, I get the idea that I might find a small group of them to shoot. After all, the evidence of potential is all around me.
I ended up scanning the forest about 50 yards in both directions, and I didn't find a single other bloom anywhere. It seems this one was put there just for me. I'll take it!
I've heard that the pink ones prefer pine forested areas (more acidic soils I presume), while the yellows tend to like hardwoods. Were you in an area with many pines?
By the way, if any of you travel through eastern Kentucky I have to say that a stop in the Red River Gorge is a MUST DO! It is a spectacularly scenic place that I have only just begun to explore. I can get there in about an hour from Lexington, and I expect you will start seeing a lot more stuff from my exploration of a new playground. There are plenty of rock formations, with arches being the big draw, dense forests, creeks and streams, flora, etc, etc. Sounds pretty awful, huh.
By the way, if any of you travel through eastern Kentucky I have to say that a stop in the Red River Gorge is a MUST DO! It is a spectacularly scenic place that I have only just begun to explore. I can get there in about an hour from Lexington, and I expect you will start seeing a lot more stuff from my exploration of a new playground. There are plenty of rock formations, with arches being the big draw, dense forests, creeks and streams, flora, etc, etc. Sounds pretty awful, huh?
Brad