How about a trip to the Fakahatchee Strand? - Page 17 - Orchid Board

Swamper · #**161** 10-17-2010, 08:12 PM

Thanks Susie, I'm glad you think I'm a good guy to spend the morning with. Jejejej

Justin Parkkonen · #**162** 10-18-2010, 11:59 AM

I will post some photos later today, but I bet Chris will do so before then. We saw 14 native species and 1 exotic (Spotted Leaf).

Joe, we did check out an area where I had seen some Vanilla the previous few years and they were coming back. A few of the taller ones were pretty damaged but the short ones that wrapped around the trees seemed to be okay.

flhiker · #**163** 10-18-2010, 12:00 PM

So how was the conditions of the swamp. I assume the water is still high. I want to go next Sunday IN THE WORST OF WAYS. Work is finally letting up a little. And WHERE are the pictures? LOL Glad you all had a good time.

Swamper · #**164** 10-18-2010, 12:46 PM

Justing I saw some beautiful vanillas on the way out too. I was very glad and relieved to see them.
Dave the conditions were awesome. We barely needed a drink. Very few mosquitoes. The water was still up and cold, sometimes it felt as if it would get colder by 10 degrees and then as soon as it got a couple of inches shallower it would warm up again. Strange but true.

footTRAX · #**165** 10-18-2010, 01:31 PM

Here are some pictures of the orchids we saw in bloom.

Epidendrum Nocturnum

Clamshell Orchid

Florida Adder's-Mouth Orchid

Dwarf Butterfly Orchid

Yellow Helmet Orchid

Ribbon Orchid

The only blooming Ribbon Orchid we saw was about 9 feet off the ground. I couldn't get a good shot to save my life. We did make a make-shift ladder and Justin got some good shots.

footTRAX · #**166** 10-18-2010, 01:43 PM

You can see more of my pictures at Flickr: footTRAX (Chris Evans)'s Photostream

flhiker · #**167** 10-18-2010, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Parkkonen

Joe, we did check out an area where I had seen some Vanilla the previous few years and they were coming back.

I went in just after the cold and the Vanilla took a big hit but late spring and summer I saw them putting out new roots and grow. It's still going to take awhile before they get to where they were.