A Look Back on the Natural Treasures of 2011

It's hard to believe another year has come and gone.  It seems like just yesterday I was sitting in this same chair looking out my frosted windows and dreaming of the botanical wonders and discoveries that 2011 would bring.  As I read back through the dozens of entries I wrote this year I still find it incredible all the plant species, ecosystems, people and places I got to meet and experience.  Numerous botanical bucket list items were marked from the list while many more were penciled in for the future.  From the limestone cliffs and evergreen forests of the Bruce peninsula in Canada to the muggy depths of southern Kentucky, there were few places in-between not explored and investigated by myself and my fellow botanizing kin.  Five states and one Canadian province; hundreds of parks, forests and preserves; over 30,000 miles and 1,300+ plant species came together to easily make this a year I will never forget.

As I continue to brainstorm, write and work on future posts for the upcoming year I would like to take some time to reminisce on a number of my favorite experiences from 2011.  There was hardly a shortage of excitement and feelings of euphoria at any point and every month had a special memory to share.  I encourage you to scroll down through the corresponding photos and synopsis' and clink the links provided to read the specifics of each adventure.  Some posts you may remember while others may be getting your attention for the first time but each possesses a special moment in time and space in my heart and mind.  I hope you enjoy this look back at what a memorable and exhilarating year 2011 was!

A grove of old-growth Tulip-poplars in Davey Woods nature preserve

JANUARY brought in 2011 with plenty of snow, ice and frigid temperatures to my home state of Ohio.  I can remember snow being on the ground from the beginning of December all the way to the end of February.  Despite the low temperatures I could not resist getting out into the snow to explore one of my favorite ecosystems.  Old-growth forests are an incredible experience 365 days out of the year but to get the best grasp on their detail and magnificence one needs to see them in their winter state.  Davey Woods nature preserve outside Urbana, Ohio is a close-to-home answer for myself and worth a trip from any corner in Ohio.  Above you can see your blogger's father standing with a grove of large Tuliptrees within the preserve.  You can read more about our walk through this old-growth wonderland by clicking this link here.

Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus) emerging in a swamp woods

As the snow continued to fall and the temperatures kept their bitter grip on into FEBRUARY my mind began to crack under the weight of winter.  I knew if I could just hold on for a few more weeks my botanically-deprived mind would be rewarded with the annual blooming of Ohio's first native wildflower.  In the last week of February I made my yearly pilgrimage to a swamp woods not too far away from my home to witness the Skunk Cabbage's (Symplocarpus foetidus) emergence from their winter slumber.  Being the first species to bloom is not the only cool thing these fascinating plants are known for.  If interested in learning more about these fowl-smelling blossoms click this link here!

State-endangered Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum)

Finally!  MARCH arrived and the botanical floodgates started to open, releasing their bounty of beauty and color back into the natural world.  All the old faces and cherished favorites began to awaken and bloom as the sun ever waxed in the sky above their heads.  Trout-lilies (Erythronium spp.), Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), Hepaticas (Hepatica spp.) and even the Snow Trillium (Trillium nivale) greeted 2011 in a glorious display that could not have come any sooner.  The best waited until last with the stunning and surprising discovery of the state-endangered Goldenstar-lily (Erythronium rostratum) on the Edge of Appalachia preserve.  Only known from one locality in Ohio, this marks the first time this remarkable spring ephemeral had ever been found outside the Rocky Fork area.  I could not believe my luck on being there on the day and moment of discovery and documented the occasion which can be read right here!  Easily one of the top moments of the year!

Tribbett Woods nature preserve

The discovery of the Goldenstar-lily was certainly one amazing way to launch into 2011 and by APRIL I was already in full-swing as mother nature continued to awaken in greater diversity and detail.  On an incredible warm and sunny day in early April, my botanical mentor and dear friend Dan Boone and I decided to pay a visit to southeastern Indiana to see some early spring flora and explore a rare and breathtaking old-growth wet flatwoods.  Tribbett Woods ended up being one of the most exceptionally undisturbed and impressive old-growth forests I'd ever stepped foot in.  Enormous Beech, Sweetgun and Swamp Chestnut Oak trees towered well over 100 feet above my head as their canopies danced in the wind.  To see some of the most impressive trees you're likely to ever see in such a unique forest community be sure to check the post out right here.

Male Black and White Warbler perched in a Sycamore tree

April and the other months of spring are not only cherished by myself and other like-minded individuals for the return of the plants and wildflowers but the migrating birds as well!  While my passion is clearly devoted mostly to the flora of our world I still consider myself a well-rounded naturalist with numerous loves to accompany my plants.  Birds are one of those 'other loves' and I had a delightful time this spring watching and photographing as many of my winged friends as I could, especially the warblers.  If you'd like to get to know a couple of our most colorful species then head on over here!

The days begin to grow longer come MAY as the birds began to sing and couple, the leaves unfurl to cover the tree's naked canopies and most importantly to me the orchids begin to wake up!  If you are even a semi-regular reader of this blog you know my deep-rooted love for our native orchids never runs thin on here.  I attended Flora Quest on the first weekend of May and was overwhelmed with orchids, irises and other rare plants in Adams and Scioto counties.  Be sure to check out the Flora Quest webpage to get information on how to sign up for this year!

Kentucky Lady's-slippers (Cypripedium kentuckiense)

None of the orchids intrigue me more or make my heart beat faster than the lady-slippers (Cypripedium spp.).  I made it a goal in 2011 to see if I could find, photograph and enjoy all the eastern Cypripedium species and varieties of North America and had the pleasure to start with the one above (I did end up achieving that goal!).  The Kentucky Lady's slipper (Cypripedium kentuckiense) stole my heart and the show in early May as I traveled to Lewis county, Kentucky in search of them.  To read more about this fascinating orchid and see more photographs jump over to this page.  If you love orchids even half as much as I do check out one of my other favorite posts regarding my time with the Small White Lady's slippers as well!

Aqua waters of Lake Huron on the Bruce peninsula, Ontario, Canada

If May was a tornado of botanical activity and excitement then JUNE was a category five hurricane!  More happened in June than I could ever even begin to retell but it climaxed with my road trip and week-long stay on the botanical and geological wonder world of the Bruce Peninsula.  I had dreamed for years of experiencing the ancient cedar forests, alvars, fens and sheer limestone cliffs overlooking the gorgeous blue hues of the Georgian Bay and it exceeded every expectation tenfold!  You can find the first half of my road trip and time on the Bruce HERE, HERE and HERE.  This was truly the trip and experience of a lifetime and one I will cherish until my last breath.  I plan on finishing up the next set of posts to complete this saga in the next month or so stay tuned!

Eastern Prairie Fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea)

I could never close the book on June without re-sharing probably the greatest single-moment experience of 2011 with you.  Not even an hour after I returned home from Canada and I was back on the road to see something I had dreamed of seeing more than just about anything else.  In a wet meadow somewhere in Clark county, Ohio the federally threatened Eastern Prairie Fringed orchid (Platanthera leucophaea) was in perfect bloom and beckoned me to come pay it a once-in-a-lifetime visit.  I do my best to instill feelings of emotion and excitement in all my posts but I feel like non had the charge of this one on the Eastern Prairie Fringed orchid.  Enjoy!

Michigan Monkeyflower (Mimulus michiganensis)

June melted into JULY and the prairies and fens began to come to life as as the warm-season grasses and accompanying wildflowers display their colors and charm.  However, it was my week-long annual summer vacation to Leelanau county, Michigan with the family that took the honor for best July moment in botany.  I had long heard of a mysterious and globally rare wildflower that graced the secretive shorelines of Glen Lake and a select few other places in this area of Michigan and decided it was time to make its acquaintance.  With some help from a local botany professor I was turned onto one of the very few remaining populations of this mega-rarity, the Michigan Monkeyflower (Mimulus michiganensis).  If you have an affinity or taste for the interesting and rare then I highly encourage you to read the post dedicated to the daily battle this federally endangered curiosity has to bear by clicking right here!

Three-birds Orchid (Triphora trianthophora) in perfect bloom

It just wouldn't be a normal post if I didn't include a bit more focus on my orchid favorites now would it?  Once the calender hits AUGUST it was time to start checking on the secretive and fickle populations of one of Ohio's most intriguing of plants.  The Three-birds orchid (Triphora trianthophora) is a thing of beauty and nature's perfection.  These truly are more finicky and tricky to catch in sublime bloom than almost any other plant in Ohio.  A million thanks still goes out to Cheryl Harner who kept me in the loop on these plants and shared them with me when they couldn't have been any better!  Truly a day worth reading about by following this link!

Yellow Fringed Orchid (Platanthera ciliaris)

Speaking of August and orchids, if you want to see some of the most photogenic species of wildflowers Kentucky has to offer than I would love to point you in the direction of my post on four species of Platanthera orchids in the humid confines of southern Kenutcky! 

Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii) in an Adams county prairie

Gradually the humidity softens and the winds begin to cool as fall approached Ohio.  SEPTEMBER is one of my favorite times of the year as it means football is back (even if my Ohio State Buckeyes and Indianapolis Colts had quite sub-par seasons worth forgetting...) and the leaves will soon be changing.  September also brings a flux of special flora into the prairies, fens, fields and meadows.  I spent much of my sun-waned days exploring Ohio's prairie and fen ecosystems.  The feel of the drying grasses on my bare skin and the breeze on my face all mixed with that distinct blue hue to the sky makes for an infinite supply of intrinsic moments come this time of year, as fleeting as it is.  I started a series on these fascinating places and plants with the bluegrass region and prairies openings of Adams county, Ohio.  Look for the remainder posts to be published in the future!

Lesser Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata)

Seemingly as quickly as they came the flame orange and reddened leaves fell from the trees and the sunlight begun to hang low in the sky as OCTOBER and NOVEMBER arrived.  The time of the flowering plants was once again coming to an end and another exciting season was expiring.  Of course, there is one last gasp of color and life before the end as select fens show off their end-of-the-year fireworks display of blue.  The Lesser Fringed Gentians (Gentianopsis virgata) are a sight to behold as the sun's low rays catch their fringed petals just right to enhance their vivid blues.  Although, they too faded into oblivion as winter's chill once again hung in the air and I found myself bound in patience and anticipation for spring 2012...

I hope you enjoyed this look back on 2011 and that all of you had a very happy holiday season and an even better new years!  Here's to 2012 and the natural treasures of Ohio and beyond that I will be sharing with you!  Happy New Year!

The Tale of the Three-birds

"Rise up this morning, smile with the rising sun.  Three little birds pitched by my doorstep.  Singing sweet songs of melodies pure and true, singing 'this is my message to you-ou-ou...'"  If I didn't know any better I'd say Bob Marley was singing about the rare and lovely Three-birds orchid (Triphora trianthophora) and not the little feathered friends that would greet him each morning to eat the marijuana seeds he would toss as he rolled the day's first joint.  At least that's how the story goes...

This past Sunday I did rise with the morning sun and had a big smile on my face in anticipation for what the day had in store.  I was going to be searching for my very own three little birds only these weren't likely to be found on my doorstep but rather under the dappled sunlight in the depths of an old-growth woods.  I also had the pleasure and good fortune to be accompanying a few of Ohio's most knowledgeable naturalists and fellow nature bloggers on this particular botanical foray.  Warren Uxley, Jim McCormac, author of the wildly popular Ohio Birds and Biodiversity blog and Ohio's very own walking nature encyclopedia was along for the journey as was Cheryl Harner of Weedpicker's Journal fame (scroll over the name of their blogs to activate a link to their respective sites).  In fact, Cheryl is owed all the credit for this experience with her careful study and checking of the population to best predict the right time to see them in full bloom.  My fingers were crossed her instincts were sound!

Can you see them?

Old-growth Sugar Maple/Beech woods

Our destination was an old-growth woods in north-central Ohio which shall remain nameless to better protect this rare species of orchid from the inconsiderate's shovels and hands.  You'd be surprised at the amount of ignorance portrayed by those who dig up wild orchids and think they can transplant them successfully.  Beauties and rarities such as these are best touched with our eyes only.

Spending a day strolling through an ancient woods full of towering leviathans is more than enough fun for a big tree lover like myself.  American Beech, Sugar Maple, Tuliptree, Red Oak and Basswood of remarkable proportions emerged from the deep, rich soil like solid pillars of a Greek temple, holding high the ceiling of emerald leaves.  As we entered a section dominated by Beech and Sugar Maple, Cheryl hinted that we were getting close.  A couple minutes later Jim pointed out a slightly raised and flat area of the woods and said, "That seems like the perfect spot for Triphora!".  Cheryl was quick to smile and say that's exactly where we were to look.  Didn't I tell you Jim was good?

Triphora trianthophora

Triphora trianthophora

My footsteps became light and carefully planned as my heartbeat and pulse raced faster.  My eyes meticulously scanned the leaf littered ground looking for any hint or sign of the dainty and miniscule orchid.  Suddenly my eyes fixated on a sunbeam hitting the ground, illuminating a small white object near the base of an ancient Sugar Maple.  Could it be...or was the sun just playing games with my eyes?  As I moved in for a closer look the glare lessened and a small clump of the Three-birds orchid in full, perfect bloom appeared.  My jaw dropped as I slowly sank down to my knees.  This was the first time I'd ever laid eyes on this spectacular plant and every second was worth the wait.  Scattered in a ring around the Sugar Maple was over 100 Triphora plants in varying sized groups and all in full bloom.  Cheryl could not have timed them any better!

Large clump of Three-birds orchid

Triphora trianthophora

Only growing 6-7" tall with tiny, mouse-ear sized leaves, the Three-birds orchid has single axillary flowers with 3-4 per plant on average.  The nickle-sized flowers can range from pure white like these to a soft pink color.  Each flower's throat is colored with the most unique shade of green that acts as runway lights directing incoming pollinators.  Looking further past the green patch on the lip is the purple colored pollinia.  Pollinia is orchid-speak for the packages of pollen that insects pick up and transfer to the next flower, thus pollinating it.  Most literature states these delicate beauties are primarily pollinated by bees from the Halictidae family.

Triphora trianthophora

Triphora trianthophora

Not only is the sheer beauty and mesmerizing architecture of this orchid of particular interest to me but also this plant's life history and story.  The first peculiar thing on the list is its habitat and bloom time.  Most orchids are known for their sensitive light needs, quickly disappearing in shaded conditions.  This orchid grows as a saprophyte in the rich humus of American Beech and Sugar Maple forests until about late July/early August.  Trying to find evidence of this orchid is impossible before this point.  The plant then sends up a very small and slender green stalk accompanied with three buds.  A combination of soil moisture and a drop in nighttime temperature seems to trigger this response from the plant.  It's also theorized this plant reacts to a specific amount of daylight in the days prior to flowering.  By early to mid August the first set of buds break their vow of silence and reveal their intricate beauty to the world.  All the flowers on every plant do this at the exact same time in an area, creating a sight too incredible for words especially if you find an exceptionally large patch.  This habit of mass blooming ensures the best odds of as many flowers being pollinated as possible.

The 'three birds' in flight

Triphora trianthophora

The picture above left really gives the best interpretation of why this orchid got its name.  The three flowers appear like little birds in mid flight.  Upon pollination the flowers begin to wilt and go to seed immediately.  This can sometimes only give someone a few hours to work with when trying to find and especially photograph these flowers.  In a week or so they will bud and bloom again, doing this a few times until by early September all that remains are tiny, brown stalks topped with the maturing seed capsules.  Even these do not last long after releasing their seed and the plant slips back into mystery and legend only to reappear next August.  In subsequent years of a good bloom these plants will go into a period of dormancy.  Unless the exact meteorological conditions are met this plant has no problem with remaining in its subterranean home, only sending up flowering stems when needed and necessary.

I've started to call this plant the 'social orchid' and I think you'll understand why.  Come late July, emails, texts and phone calls begin to go out with the words Triphora trianthophora being whispered back and forth.  The lucky few begin to check on their populations with daily updates in eager anticipation of when they will break bud.  Without people like Cheryl and her gracious help, getting to see these guys goes to the brink of a near impossibility.  This leads to my theory that this rare and potentially threatened plant is more common than currently known and documented.  Not too many people are scouring the darkened forest floors of Beech/Maple woods come early August, let alone on the lucky day they are most noticeable.

Three-birds is found scattered throughout the eastern half of the United States.  It's the only North American Triphora to be found outside of Florida where four other species occur.  Most populations persist in rich and deep soiled, mesic woods comprised of Beech, Sugar Maple, Tuliptree, Red Oak, White Ash and Black Walnut.  It prefers woods with a thick and loose mat of humus from which the plants grow in.  This is probably why our population was found in an old-growth forest where decaying leaf litter is in no short supply.  Remember my post from last winter about Davey Woods old-growth forest in Champaign County?  It really fits the bill when it comes to desirable habitat for this species.  Triphora is recorded from Champaign and Clark counties so it might not be too crazy to think this plant could be hiding somewhere in that exceptional woodland.

Triphora triathophora

Triphora triathophora

You would have thought these little orchids were walking the red carpet in their Oscar's finest attire by the all the shutter clicks and flashes going on under the mighty Beech and Maples.  They certainly seemed to enjoy the company and attention as they beamed their brilliant jeweled white perfection back at our camera sensors.  I know I say just about every other species of orchid is one of my favorites but this one, these three little birds, instantly flew themselves into the top category.  They say the best things in life are free.  As long as these charming little lovlies grace our forests come August, I'd say that saying holds true.

I look forward to Jim and Cheryl's potential posts about this remarkable day as I'm sure they will do their predictably amazing job on bringing our experiences, both shared and separate to your computer screens.  We saw plenty of other fascinating flora and fauna during our hike from juicy caterpillars to egg-laying butterflies.  Perhaps that will make the blogroll on the others but I just couldn't pry myself away from the tale or photographs of this perfect flower.