This week while hiking on the McKenzie River trail, I encountered a delightful treat. These delicate pink orchids were just coming into bloom on the forest’s mossy carpeted floor, interspersed with the white Trillium and Yellow Violet. It was quite lovely. I wasn’t familiar with this orchid, but it occurred to me that I hadn’t been hiking the Cascade trails this early in the Spring before. I looked it up when I got home, and found out I had seen the Fairy Slipper, Calypso bulbosa var. occidentals. Now I’m excited to see what other unfamiliar wildflowers I’m going to encounter throughout the year on my forest walks.
Ah, that's my favorite flower! Such a great picture.