Katherine writes: These are a few of my Aunt’s about 75 Lady Slippers. Her son and daughter were working over the weekend to erect a deer proof fence around them so they would keep growing and spreading. I think they are beautiful.
I think they’re beautiful, too, Katherine, and you’ve captured them perfectly. According to your Aunt, Showy Ladyslippers used to grow along the roadsides at the north end of Torch Lake in such profusion that people picked armloads of them. Now there are nowhere near so many, and she tends her precious patch with care. They grow in the Jordan Valley, too, and over at Grass River, but it’s a rare privilege to see them.
I was out and about on Tuesday, trying to get used to the replacement camera. Let’s just say we haven’t bonded yet. But I had good subjects.
The much more common Yellow Ladyslippers bloomed on the Flat Road near Old Antrim City. Columbine nodded nearby. We’re having a beautiful wildflower season.
Torch Lake Views 
Cindy Lou
June 3, 2010
It’s a fantastic wild flower season UP here, too…can’t ask for much more, hey? I think your new little camera-friend is working just fine – maybe a little more time for bonding is needed? Lunch at Sonny’s (?) might help…
Gerry
June 3, 2010
I took the little dickens to Sonny’s for breakfast and out the Flat Road to look at the cemetery and over to Central Lake to Thurston Park and down on the beach for our walk. We’ve had a lot of good opportunities. I think it doesn’t like me. Or maybe it’s just that it doesn’t feel like the little camera. I miss the little camera.
P.j. grath
June 3, 2010
Sometimes watching those pixels load up on a slow dialup connection is as much fun as watching an old Polaroid print emerge from a dark card in the hand. All of those are lovely pictures! Here in Leelanau we have some places that used to have ladyslippers, some that still do and everyone knows, and some secret places, deep in boggy, swampy inland country. Don’t know if I’ll have time to get to any of the secret places this year, but I like thinking about them and hoping they are blooming profusely.
Gerry
June 3, 2010
It’s true, just thinking about Showy Ladyslippers blooming somewhere is good for the spirits. I’m glad you watch the emerging photos with anticipation. A good attitude can take a person a long way through the day.
katherine
June 3, 2010
What camera did you end up getting?
Gerry
June 3, 2010
Per our conversation, I replaced the little camera with another Canon point’n’shoot, allegedly the new and improved version of the model I had. There are some nice things, but there are other things that are just a pain in the neck. Grouse, grouse. There was another model that I liked; I asked the salesman to explain the differences, and I let him talk me into this one. He had an easy job of it–the other one costs more. Still, I think I might like it a lot better. Rats, oh rats, I hate going back to the store.
Susan Och
June 3, 2010
Thanks for reminding me to go check the ditch!
Gerry, I’m on a bit of a treasure hunt. Do you happen to know of any entity that would have a decent record of the ice-out dates for Lake Charlevoix? I can’t seem to find anything online, but maybe you could think of a local source.
Gerry
June 3, 2010
You’re welcome. Ditches are reliable sources of discovery.
Ice-out dates, eh? Don’t know of any “official” source, but there are some institutions/agencies that have a particular interest and might be able to help you: the Coast Guard, the operators of the Ironton Ferry, any marina owners around the lake, the Sheriff. East Jordan Iron Works has quite a history archive, and might have that sort of data. I remember Tom Sheets used to make ice-out bets with people in Boyne City. Maybe the Chamber or the BC Library, or local historian Bob Morgridge would be good resources. I think I’m stumped.
Karma
June 3, 2010
Wow, I haven’t seen ladyslippers since I was a child. Those are some stunners. Are they still on a “protected” or “endangered” list?
Gerry
June 3, 2010
Showy Ladyslippers yes – dunno about the yellow ones.
Carsten
June 4, 2010
Beautiful flowers Gerry.
Sorry for missing your blog so long time. You are so productive, so I have a lot to catch up.
Denmark only hosts the yellow variety of Ladyslippers. And only in two places. It is on the “red-list” for protected and very rare species.
Gerry
June 4, 2010
We have missed you, Carsten, but would never feel slighted so no need for apologies. I am astonished that Ladyslippers are so rare in Denmark, and glad to have some to show you here.