Flora-Quest, YEAR FOUR

The folks have gathered at Shawnee Lodge and some of the most amazing guides in Ohio came in this afternoon for a pre-scout. It didn't take long to find orchids and warblers- two of the staples for nature enthusiast visiting Shawnee.


We enjoyed "in your face" views of a Cerulean, Kentucky, Worm-eating and Pine Warblers... and many more birds to round out the days list. A trip to the Eulett Center at the Edge of Appalachia produced Henslow's Sparrow and Chuck-will's-widow- a two life bird day for me!

The orchids are spectacular this year. Plenty of Pink and Yellow Lady's-slippers to be found here. And the more diminutive, Showy Orchis display is unlike anything I have ever seen. I saw more of these roadside beauties in one location today, than I have seen in the entire rest of my life. Was it a good day? Hm, does a bobcat skulk in the woods? Oh, and we saw one of those too!
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We had to swear our trip attendees they would not rub it in to the less fortunate ones! Some times it is just hard to be humble- especially when things are this good!