Here are three American Columbine (a red and yellow wildflower) pictures from our recent hike up Hogback Mountain by way of the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah National Park.
American Columbine
American Columbine in Shenandoah National Park
American Columbine along the Applachian Trail in Virginia
Here’s a photo of fly poison amongst ferns. My wife took this photograph on the Appalachian Trail on our recent hike up Hogback Mountain in Shenandoah National Park.
Fly Poison and Ferns
Here’s another photo taken by K.G. along the Appalachian Trail in Northern Virginia. The white flowers are rue anemone.
Rue Anemone
As I mentioned earlier, I was excited to find showy orchis wildflowers in the yard this spring for the first time. I have since discovered even more showy orchis and took some additional pictures:
Showy Orchis
Showy Orchis
Showy Orchis
Where to See Showy Orchis
In addition to the showy orchis in the backyard, I also found a couple showy orchis flowers along the Appalachian Trail just south of the Mosby Camp (south of Linden between Rte 55 and 522). You have to look carefully… it may not be obvious from the photos, but showy orchis wildflowers are relatively small and close to the ground. In fact, some folks may not be that impressed. My brother remarked, “If that’s the showy orchis, then I’d hate to see the non-showy orchis!”
Here are a couple pictures from our yard of yellow lady’s slippers. Lady Slippers are one of my favorite flowers. We did not know they were there when we bought our property and were very pleased when we discovered them.
Yellow Ladys Slippers
Yellow Ladys Slippers
Ladys Slipper Closeup
The yellow lady’s slippers in our yard are now past peak, but early May is the time of year to see them. In the May 2010 Potomac Appalachian newsletter, Lee Scheaffer describes where you can find them along the Appalachian Trail near Linden, VA in the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area. The article starts on the first page and is entitled “It’s A Flower Thing.”
Here are a couple of additional shots of marsh marigolds taken along the Appalachian Trail.
Marsh Marigold Closeup
Marsh Marigolds