Spiranthes cernua (Nodding ladies'-tresses orchid)

Well, I keep saying that I'm not going back up to the Heritage Preserve again, but I did one last time. I met Jim and Becky Petranka, friends from North Carolina, to show them the special place that is Eva Chandler Heritage Preserve.

This is probably the best year I've seen up there for Spiranthes cernua. The topography is quite varied, but everywhere there is a wet seep or next to the cataract that flows through the Preserve, these orchids grow in impressive numbers. Again, a very good year...