Photo 158471, (c) J Brew, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by J Brew

Attribution © J Brew
some rights reserved
Uploaded by brewbooks brewbooks
Source Flickr
Original http://www.flickr.com/photos/93452909@N00/4510693087
Associated observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Western Fairy-Slipper (Calypso bulbosa var. occidentalis)

Observer

brewbooks

Date

April 16, 2011 12:21 PM PDT

Description

Calypso bulbosa

The Calypso orchid (Calypso bulbosa), also known as the fairy slipper or Venus's slipper, is a perennial member of the orchid family found in undisturbed northern and montane forests. It has a small pink, purple, pinkish-purple, or red flower accented with a white lip, darker purple spottings, and yellow beard.
It is the only species currently classified in the genus Calypso, which takes its name from the Greek signifying concealment, as they tend to favor sheltered areas on conifer forest floors.
Source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calypso_(orchid) accessed 11 April 2010

I tried a many macro shots of this plant ( about 20) with my Canon 40D and 100 mm macro lens. I had a ring light and that helped. This is a fairly small flower and it lives in the forest. I had a challenge to get close - and avoid crushing more orchids and other ephemeral plants. On this trip, I saw more Calypso orchids than I had ever seen anywhere else, it was most impressive.

Washington Park , Anacortes, Skagit Couny, Washington, USA

wp 042

Sizes