On our way home from Whitefish Point we stopped at Pointe Labarbe near St. Ignace, Michigan. There were two reasons that we were there. Plants and raptors. When we left Whitefish Point it was quite foggy.
When I got up I knew it was foggy before looking outside – distant fog horns on the bay and Lake Superior alerted me to the conditions.
When we got to Pt. Labarbe fog nearly obscured the Mackinac Bridge. This meant that not much was happening with raptors.
So we started walking the road look at plants. This is Mountain deathcama, a strange name for a pretty flower. But this wasn’t our target.
The Small grass-of-parnassus was a target and we found many in bloom. These is a smaller species than the one that occurs in southern Michigan. But the plant we were hoping for was a bit more difficult to find.
With some effort we managed to find a few Lesser fringed gentian (again a smaller species versus the Fringed gentian of southern Michigan). These flowers were slower opening due to the fog.
There were also a variety of asters and goldenrods in their full splendor.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 