An orchid, a mammal and a fire

Stopped at the rest area south of Grayling on I-75 because we had stopped south of there looking at the fire damage from last weeks fire.

One of the highlights of stopping at this rest area are the 13-lined ground-squirrels. Now on to the fire along Stahley Lake Rd.

The fire swept through the jack pines.

Both sides of the road were devastated.

Here’s the log where we photographed a singing male Kirtland’s Warbler on May 20th.

Here’s the bird.

Here’s a close-up of the warbler, and the remains of the tree he was singing in.

Finally, we stopped east of Moran in the UP to look for orchids. This is a yellow lady’s-slipper. The showy lady’s-slippers should be in bloom in a week.

More tomorrow…