How about a trip to the Fakahatchee Strand?

[footTRAX]

Is it just me? or does it look like the Epidendrum Nocturnum wants to dive in the Slough. This orchid is on my top list of orchids to see bloom. All day in the slough we kept seeing others budding or not fully open. I had a big smile on my face when Justin spotted it in full bloom.

[Justin Parkkonen]

I'm still in awe over the day we had yesterday. Please find below some of my photos:

Malaxis spicata - Florida Adder's-Mouth

This is an underrated species. We found quite a few - and the flowers were tiny. Besides being tiny, they were quite beautiful! Photo taken without flash.



With flash:

[Justin Parkkonen]

Prostechea cochleata - Florida Clamshell Orchid

Must have seen 50 blooms yesterday (October 17, 2010). We found so many incredible species that I really did not take the time to get the shot of this species that I wanted. I am still happy with this shot, but I look forward to photographing this species again.

[Justin Parkkonen]

Epidendrum nocturnum - Night Fragrant Epidendrum

Perhaps the most underrated of our native orchids. Reminds me of a Ghost and Vanilla phaeantha combined.

I was glad to find this in bloom as we had been walking past specimens in bud and pollinated all morning.

I know quite a bit of the flower is over exposed but I still like this shot.

Taken October 17, 2010 in the Fakahatchee Strand.

[Justin Parkkonen]

Prostechea pygmaea - Dwarf Butterfly Orchid

Been looking for this one for quite some time. One of the prettiest and most interesting of our Florida native species in my opinion.

Plants are medium sized but the flowers are absolutely tiny! This flower is not quite all of the way open, the bottom petals and sepal were still unfolding at the time of this photo.

Taken October 17, 2010 in the Fakahatchee Strand.

[footTRAX]

Originally Posted by Justin Parkkonen

I'm still in awe over the day we had yesterday. Please find below some of my photos:

Malaxis spicata - Florida Adder's-Mouth

This is an underrated species. We found quite a few - and the flowers were tiny. Besides being tiny, they were quite beautiful! Photo taken without flash.

I really thought it was amzing to see 5-8 of these orchids blooming on a floating log which was only about a foot long in itself. It was like a floating orchid island.
Great shots Justin!

[footTRAX]

Originally Posted by Justin Parkkonen

Epidendrum nocturnum - Night Fragrant Epidendrum

Perhaps the most underrated of our native orchids. Reminds me of a Ghost and Vanilla phaeantha combined.

I was glad to find this in bloom as we had been walking past specimens in bud and pollinated all morning.

I know quite a bit of the flower is over exposed but I still like this shot.

Taken October 17, 2010 in the Fakahatchee Strand.

It's a sight to see in bloom! I already can't wait to go back to the Strand..

[Swamper]

These guys are sick. Tripods in the water. Thousands of dollars in equipment. All kinds of curious critters. What drives these crazy boyz?

[Justin Parkkonen]

Originally Posted by Swamper

These guys are sick. Tripods in the water. Thousands of dollars in equipment. All kinds of curious critters. What drives these crazy boyz?

Days like yesterday are what drive me! There is nothing like the Fakahatchee... Had a lot of fun with you Joe!

[footTRAX]

It was nice to meet you Joe. I hope we can do it again soon. Maybe next month?

We saw that same gator on the way out. I stopped the truck and it jetted straight for the water. It makes you wonder "What else is in the water when we are in it".
Great times!