It's the second week of May.  The time is right.  Why don't we survey and count some native orchids?

Cathy begins by marking off the census tract, same as last year.

Will there be lots of orchids in the 100 meter tract?  Or just lots of mosquitos?

Quiz:  Now why do you suppose this habitat has been saved from the clutches of the developers?  Click this picture to enlarge it.   Study it.  Take a wild guess.  Just a couple hundred yards from here, there once were thousands and thousands of native orchids growing.  But they fell to "progress."

Cathy reviews survey techniques: red flags will be used to mark off smaller plots and then moved along.

Count the flowers ... but don't overlook the buds.

Anne Kotowski

Joel Edwards

So what were they counting?  Here it is ... the dainty white ladyslipper ... Cypripedium  candidum.

Don't wait for an invitation.  Contact Cathy now if you are willing to help with any of the field projects that she undertakes every year.