In May I drove through Chase, then up the Bear – Loakin Road get to the Neskonlith Lake Provincial Park Road.     I continued on to the boat launch.    I kayaked the lake for an hour and a half.   Each time I paddle the lake I choose a different loop, but I also respond to the conditions.    On this day, the water was calm and the lake was quiet.

After paddling the lake I secured the boat and explored the forest, paths, and roadsides observing the flora and fauna of the park and the areas east of the park.

A number of wildflowers were in bloom and I stopped to photograph them.    In one area, there were a number of mountain ladyslippers  (Cypripedium montanum) in bloom.

Cypripedium montanum are perennials in the orchid family.   They grow from rhizomes to a height of 20 to 70 cm.    The leaves are lanceolate/egg-shaped and tend to fold or wrap around the stem.    On top of the stems one to three larger distinctive flowers appear.    The sepals and petals are copper to brown.    A large white pouch (lower lip) with faint purple veins is contrasted with the browns and yellow lobe.  After flowering capsules develop for later dispersal.     Mountain ladyslippers can be spotted in our area in moist glades in medium to subalpine elevations in spring.

All photos by the author taken on that day.     Click an image for a lightbox (larger):

In some years we do not spot any mountain ladyslippers.   We have to go to the right area at the right time to enjoy the wildflowers in bloom.     I will return to this spot at the same time in this year to witness the flower show.