• Thursday-What'sUP July 14 - 04:35 pm

Rick Baetson has been coming to the Upper Peninsula for quite some time, but has been doing so, more in the warmer seasons lately. He says that has helped his interest in wildflowers to resurface again and I’m sure glad it did. Just look at some of the beauties he’s photographed in Alger County, mostly the Munising and Grand Marais areas.

The first three shots are Ladyslippers, but several different varieties. The top photo is a traditional deep pink flower, with the second photo the brightest yellow I’ve seen. You sure can’t miss those flowers on the forest floor. Rick’s third flower photo is a Ram’s head ladyslipper and quite unique looking.

Rick said the final shot is a Small Round Leaved Orchid and quite the pretty little flower, indeed. He said it is a rare flower and listed as an endangered species in the State of Michigan. It only grows about 5 to 6 inches tall and is found in wet conifer bogs, only in several locations of the Upper Peninsula. Rick says he really likes the purple/lavender color of the spots on the flowers petals, as they are so small yet so richly saturated. I have to whole-heartedly agree!

Love the flower pictures. I love summer!!!

Beautiful bouquet of flowers today!

WOW....awesome pictures....As a kid, tromping through the woods with Grandma...we'd see lady slippers, etc...it's been many a year since I've seen one...And I never heard of the Ram's head lady slipper...I'd a swore that was a Jack in the Pulpit!

My Mom gave me a book on Keweenaw Wildflowers done by Harvey Desnick....very cool book.

Beautiful stuff!

Stunning beauties! As grand or even more so than an orchid! Thanks Rick and Mary.

Nice photos and good detail!

Rick, that you so for the beautiful flower shots! Oy! Great job!

Whoops, meant "thank you!"

Nice shots! Ladyslippers have always been a favorite, tho have photographed more Showy's than anything.

Has anyone seen Calypso orchids in the UP? We've photographed them in Wilderness Park in the LP. They are also known as the fairy slipper or Venus's slipper, but don't know if they are closely related to 'real' lady slippers. Sounds like their habitat is similar to the Small Round Leaved Orchid's.

Beautiful flowers. Thanks 4 sharing.

Everytime we take walks, we always see the most beautiful wildflowers ever. Their aroma just fills the air. Great pictures, Rick!

OMG, how beautiful! Thank you, Rick, for sharing them with us. You made my day!

where oh where did my hummers go? beginning of summer they
were at my feeders and honeysuckle vine now they have been gone
for 3 weeks.

ohhhh beautiful flower photos!!