IN THE FIELD: Wilderness Treasures
During our last trip to Idaho and Montana, we spent some time exploring the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area. While photographing the region was our primary focus, we did manage to sneak in some hiking and fly fishing.
One of our side trips was a visit to Selway Falls, which is southwest of the Lolo pass. From the trailhead, it was a relatively easy hike to several good vantage points to view the falls. It was rocky, but downhill the whole way.
After getting some shots of the falls, we decided to take a short break before we headed back up the trail. As beautiful as the falls were, I was actually more fascinated by what we discovered as we relaxed under the shade of the evergreen trees.
Behind the old log we were sitting on were several dozen Fairy Slipper orchids (Calypso bulbosa). These orchids are not rare, but they can be hard to find. They thrive in the moist environments of evergreen forests. We were amazed to see such tiny delicate flowers among the towering fir trees.
After photographing the orchids, we decided it was time to head back to the car. Hiking to the falls was the easy part. Making it back to the trailhead was all together different. The trailhead was only 3/4th’s of a mile away…except it was severe uphill trek and the day had become blistering hot. I don’t know how long our steep schlep back to the car lasted, but it seemed like three lifetimes.
I shot this with my 50mm 1.8 lens, used a tripod and cable release. Underexposing about 1/3rd of a stop helped to make the color richer.
David Heilman 
Ah hah! I knew it was an orchid 🙂 Not something I would think you’d find in that part of the country. Cool!
Same here, I guess they can handle the winters better than we think. I still can’t believe how tiny they were. Just about the size in the photo!
Beautiful, David! What an awesome find! I can see the morning dew (or maybe rain) dripping on the flower.
Thanks Gracie, they were so tiny and growing out of the moss. And that was morning dew on the flower…the temperature under the trees was nice and cool so dew didn’t evaporate by the time we got there.
Absolutely beautiful shot 🙂
Thanks you Mybeautiful…it was such a peaceful scene under the trees!!!
I’ve just had another look at that beautiful photo and noticed something – what is that fine, very delicate five leaved plant bottom left? It’s remarkable. 🙂
Ya know…I have no idea what that plant is, but it sure is neat looking! I don’t remember if it is part of the orchid.
Gorgeous shot, David!
Thank you Ted, they looked so pretty nestled among the moss and twigs.
Beautiful image!
Thanks Joylene, It sure was a pretty spot to rest!
beautiful shot, David, I saw these in Jasper but got nowhere near as nice a photo. Congrats on such a good capture!
Thanks Jane, they sure are pretty little things!
WOW! This is great shot… Thank you dear David, fascinated me. Love, nia
Thank you Nia, they are so small and delicate growing in the forest understory.
It’s always so exciting to find an orchid and this one is beautiful and mysterious. Pretty shot.
Thanks Meanderer, It was pretty exciting to find them hiding in the undergrowth of the forrest.
Great find and great capture David!
Thank you Vickie, It was a nice discovery!
What a great find! It’s such a cute little orchid. I like the rich colors.
It sure was fun to find them. We didn’t see any others on the hike to and from the waterfall!
What an exquisite flower, and a really beautiful image. Your efforts were definitely worth it!
They are beauties! We looked around for more but we only found this little grouping. I suppose they found the perfect conditions to grow!
Absolutely beautiful, so fresh and crips! Such rich and deep colours!
They were such dainty little flowers yet so colorful against the moss and pine needles. I wish they grew around here!
They are beautiful little flowers! For some reason this has turned out to be a very good year for them here. Even this late, I’ve seen some still in bloom on the sides of the cooler canyons.
Aww man you are so fortunate, we don’t have anything like them around here. At least I’ve never seen them. My new quest!!!
¡Preciosa toma! es una belleza llena de dulzura, abrazos
Thank yo so much, they sure are pretty peeking out of the forrest floor!
This is a stunning capture, and words can’t express what a delight it was to open your post and see this beautiful creation. Nature has so many surprises in store for us, some of which we may never see, but that doesn’t stop nature continuing to create.
Gee Kate, thanks so much for the kind words. Yes, this wonderful world we call home never fails to astound me. If there are other worlds out there somewhere, I wonder if they have such a diversity…
Beautiful! What a great find!
Yes they are sweet little flowers that spring up out of the clutter on the forest floor.
AWESOME Capture.. This is fantastic and I really love the deep purple color captured in this photograph.. I am pretty amazed that you were able to capture this using the 50 1.8. I have always had issues focusing with my version at really small distances. Great job!
Thanks MD, I must admit I am happy the way this one turned out. Luckily is was calm when I took this because it was pretty dark in the shade of the forest.
Wow! Beautiful shot!! What a lovely example of one of nature’s gems!
Thanks Tara, nature sure is amazing!
gorgeous colors David. the underexposure here seems just about right to me !
Thanks Abu, thank goodness for the tripod…by the time we made it back to the top of the trail it was really heavy…but worth it!
love how it stands out against the moss-like hue as a background. great shot!
Thanks Nitzus, it was pretty dark, lush and cool under the trees so it made a nice stop to rest from the heat of the day.
Belle Prise en Effet , en Regard du Vivant ,
Son Teint Rafraîchissant , ne Laisse rien Filtrer ,
Si ce n’est la Rosée , Une Larme des Quatre Vents ,
Tombant Naturellement , A Pic en Randonnée 😉
~
NéO~