1506_1968 Roundleaf Orchid
Although this tiny gem of an orchid is found throughout much of Canada, Greenland, and part of the northern United States, I only became aware of it about ten years ago. From six feet above the ground, it is fairly inconspicuous. Get down on your elbows and knees, though, and it is spectacular.
Due to a busy background I have used the Ethan Winning style here, although with a different tool set, darkening the edges and corners to minimize distractions. Below the top two flowers, the composition breaks down into out of focus clutter, so I'm not totally satisfied with this image. But the two main flowers are so spectacular that I think it is worth posting. Each of these flowers would measure less than an inch from top to bottom.
The plant grows in wet places, especially well-drained limestone soils and shady spruce forests. It doesn't tolerate acidic soils, which explains why I've never found it in bogs. This specimen was growing along a creek drainage in Banff.
Photographed in Banff National Park, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2015 James R. Page - all rights reserved.
1506_1968 Roundleaf Orchid
Although this tiny gem of an orchid is found throughout much of Canada, Greenland, and part of the northern United States, I only became aware of it about ten years ago. From six feet above the ground, it is fairly inconspicuous. Get down on your elbows and knees, though, and it is spectacular.
Due to a busy background I have used the Ethan Winning style here, although with a different tool set, darkening the edges and corners to minimize distractions. Below the top two flowers, the composition breaks down into out of focus clutter, so I'm not totally satisfied with this image. But the two main flowers are so spectacular that I think it is worth posting. Each of these flowers would measure less than an inch from top to bottom.
The plant grows in wet places, especially well-drained limestone soils and shady spruce forests. It doesn't tolerate acidic soils, which explains why I've never found it in bogs. This specimen was growing along a creek drainage in Banff.
Photographed in Banff National Park, Alberta (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2015 James R. Page - all rights reserved.