Calypso bulbosa (Fairy slipper orchid) with fly

On the second (and last) field trip day of the annual Native Orchid Conference symposium, we were given directions to a location near Sunwapta Falls in Alberta, Canada. The location is in the southern portion of the extensive Jasper Provencial Park system.

This particular site was located in and around a driveway to the parking area for the trail to the falls. The orchids were scattered in singles and groups all around a large portion of the wooded area.

I had photographed this species at the NOC symposium field trips in Oregon in 2006, but I had never seen so many flowers of this orchid species in one place! This was definitely a treat for me.