The season of bears and flowers ~

Wandering the woods, breathing with trees, photographing spring treasures, I heard a unique scrambling sound. 

One is wise to take note of sounds while in the wilds of this NW corner of Montana. 

For we live with the critters of fairy tales. 

Looking in the direction of the sound I saw a black bear scurrying up a tall conifer tree, bark flying as she did. 

Oh! 

Since she was kind of far and up a tree I snapped a few photos. 

But really, she got up that tree so fast, she could have gotten to me before I knew what was happening. 

Later I learned that my camera captured her two little cubs! She had sent her cubs to safety and followed after them. 

A good bear encounter!

Each May, when wandering the woods, my eyes scan the forest floor for fairy slippers, the calypso orchid. 

 Absolutely thrilling! 

and

shooting stars

a little past its prime

yet still a thrill to find

the highly sought after morel mushroom

moss is growing

and so beautiful up close!

~

*

 

Calypso bulbosa

an early arrival

they usually don't bloom for a couple or few more weeks

in my little snow belt area

but there it was

a little Fairyslipper

Calypso Bulbosa

wild orchid

nearly open

bathing in forest light

~

*

Calypso bulbosa

it is fairy slipper season 

they rise from a tangle on the forest floor

one here, two there

like magic 

wild orchids

cloaked in raindrop gems

the lovely 

Calypso bulbosa

~

*

Montana, the big and the small

finding fairy slippers 

thrilling

 

drove into the forest

on a dirt road that was new to me

look at what i found:

 

tiny forest violets:

sometimes

it is about the colors and light:

coming in for a landing

Canada geese:

glimpses of the big and the small

forest floor and sky above

earth and water

animals and plants

spring in Montana

~

*

Presenting the Calypso Orchid

wandering through the forest

cloaked in shades of green

a glimpse of violet and gold

the tiny fairy slipper

it is always a joy to see them

like magic sprinkled here and there

these are all the same orchids

photographed in morning sun, sunset, wind blew them apart,

wind blew them together:

kissing 

heart shaped

orchids

~

i hope you enjoyed 

the lovely calypso orchid

~

*

Spring's Abundance

forget me not

raindrops adorn tiny flowers

forest strawberry flower

promises of fruit

more forest food

morels

they have already been nibbled on

tiny forest orchids

striped coral

forest lace

as tender ferns

another portrait of fairy slippers for Noushka

sweet little violets

i am smitten!

~

*

Fairy Slippers and Friends

above are beginning stages of the lovely Calypso wild Orchid

known as the Fairy Slipper

this tiny forest flower

has won my heart with it's smiling face
and unique beauty

 ~

some more early spring flowers,  

Spring Beauty:

Buttercup:

 

Pussy Willows, which the butterflies love:

Spring flowers are such a joy 

~

*

Fairy Slipper Day ~ Calypso Orchid

be still my heart

how can anyone, like me

have a favorite flower?

flowers are sweet charming beings

each and every one

hiking through the woods today

I found more tiny wild fairy slipper orchids 
than i have ever seen in one walk!

they had me on my knees over and over

taking in their beauty

blending with their presence

finding joy in life

~

~
*

In the Afternoon Sun

in the afternoon sun

after a gentle rain

near a bubbling brook

where the deer do reign

breathe air pristine

lifting flowers scents

offering fragrance of

fairyslippers breath

~

~

Fairyslipper

a wild and tiny orchid

lives under the canopy of forest

a rare and delightful beauty

but do not step too close

for though it has a heavenly scent

you may damage its fragile roots

and then it will not grow back next year

*

*

*

Enjoy flowers from around the world:
Today's Flowers

~
*

Choices

life presents choices

chances
an assortment of paths
kiss this one
or that one
with our eyes
hands
or lips


wander this way or that way
will these paths intersect
or
wander so far beyond
that we'll never look back

there is this flower that flower
this trail or that

this rock or that rock
shinny and wet

whether we choose book binding
wild dancing
cook a la passionate
writer of tales
this or that

such a wild wonderful
moment
in the midst of a choice
the ability to decide
this way or that


look deeply
and sweetly
innocently
just perhaps
each moment
presents such a occasion

See others writings at OSI for this weeks prompt: Intersections

Happy Birthday Charlie!