This weeks adventure took us to Vermilion Point, Michigan where we were looking for orchids and other interesting plants. Fortunately we lucky enough to find what we were looking for.
Walking from the buildings towards Lake Superior we crossed through the dune-swales, alternating dry sandy ridges separated by low set swales. This is the area that orchids are easily found. By easily I mean that we found many hundreds of these small orchids. Mixed together were nodding, hooded and case’s lady’s-tresses. They were most prevalent in the sides of the swales below the driest areas of the dunes. But we also found many other plants like tawny cotton-grass (Eriophorum virginicum) and a similar plant cotton deergrass (Trichophorum alpinum).
All over, sometimes surrounding the various plants there were cranberries, covered with fruits. With careful searching (and listening) we were able to detect and sometimes find dog-day cicadas.
A plant that we rarely find at other sites is Great Lakes gentian (Gentiana rubicaulis). This may be one of the least showy of the gentians, but is still impressive with subdued mauve colors.
Scattered here and there were late summer goldenrods and asters. But the much smaller sundew plants often attract our attention. We find two species here the round-leaf sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and the great sundew (Drosera anglica), also called English sundew.
It’s always a surprise how much time has passed as we walk the dune-swales. Before long it was time to head to Paradise for sandwiches from Fresh Coast Café. Sandwiches in hand we headed back to the cabin for lunch and perhaps a nap.
Dinner was going to be interesting. More on that next week.
Michael's Place 