In Love With Lady Slippers

The Lady Slippers I saw at Scuppernong Prairie recently were so cute I couldn't "pick" just one.

Of course I didn't physically pick any...that's against the law.  The ranger about had a heart attack when he saw someone passing a bloom around.  They swear it was already broken off and laying on the ground.

Cypripedium candidum grows in prairies where there is moisture but full sunlight.  The "slipper" is 3/4 to 1 inch long, usually with some slight "veination" or purple speckling of the pouch.  Isn't it just darling?

We didn't see as many of the larger yellow ones, and they were difficult to photograph for some reason.  I shot them in late morning light, in shade and again that evening an hour before sunset.  Shade turned out to be best for capturing the canary yellow.

Greater Yellow Lady's Slipper

We also lucked upon a handful of hybrids between the yellow and the white!  They were a lovely creamy color and also larger in size.

These next two I shot closer to sunset, you can see the difference in the color of the greenery, but the blooms themselves weren't affected too much by the light difference.

And in case you can't decide which color you like best, maybe black and white is more your style!

I'm hoping to see more varieties in Door County, I don't think that's too much for the birthday girl to ask, do you?  That and not too much hassle from the mosquitoes is all the gifts I need for my 46th birthday!

Speaking of things I'm in love with, any other fans of  "Orange is the New Black" out there?  I watched the first season on Netflix when we were in Reno and the entire second season is available now.  Even better...this kitten parody of the show.