Autumn Coralroot Orchid Blooming in Ottawa County

 Autumn Coralroot Orchid - September 8 2021 - Ottawa County Michigan

This one was really blooming! 

 In the photo below you can see how many of these orchids are growing alongside the trail.  Most don’t bloom at all.  I have visited this orchid several times this month.  They are very small plants and tiny flowers.  

Purple Fringed Orchid

 

Today, Thursday August 5 2021, I visited a creek close to home in search of a Purple Fringed Orchid.  I haven't found the orchid at this creek before but I thought it was the right sort of place to find one.  I did find just one.  It was about 35 inches tall and in perfect condition.

I spied it from the other side of the creek and bravely made my way to it.  There was the creek to cross, and mud, and spider webs, and brambles, and dead trees to get through to see this gorgeous orchid up close!  

What a thrill to find this plant!  Some times I tell myself that it is fine not to see a special plant, to just enjoy the adventure.  I have to admit, finding this plant made my day!  

Mackinac Island October 2020

In early October 2020  We took a trip to Mackinac Island for our 43rd wedding anniversary!  We have been going for a stay on the island for a few years now.  This island is part of Michigan and it is very touristy especially in the summer months. We have covered much of this island by biking and hiking including most of the remote parts of the island.  

Transportation is by bicycles and horses on this island except for vehicles like an ambulance, sewer truck, fire trucks, big machines to fix the roads.

We get to the island by ferry boat which is about a 30 minute trip from Mackinaw City.  In the photo above (taken from  Mackinac Island) you can see the Mackinac Bridge with Lake Huron near us and Lake Michigan on the far side (west) of the Mighty Mac.

We use Star Line ferry service, this is at the dock in Mackinaw City.  

In the photo below you can see the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.

   Mackinac Island

  Usually after checking into the inn, we bike around the outer perimeter of the island, about 8 miles.

   Shops on the island

   Arch Rock

 We stayed at the Inn On Mackinac.  Built in 1867.  It is a nice place to stay with a great breakfast and a spa pool, also big porches and lots of flowers.   

     Harebell

We used a special light to look for Yooperlite rocks. 

Yooperlite rocks are actually Syenite rocks that are rich in fluorescent Sodalite.  Using the black light at night on the beach we searched for Yooperlites but found none.  We did have an interesting 4 mile ride back to town in the dark!

It was a fun trip with good weather.  The fall colors were at their peak on the drive up north.

So remember this was last October, it is very green in Michigan right now of course.  Thanks for stopping by.