Pink Lady's Slipper Orchid Season

Mid-May is prime season for pink lady's slipper orchids in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. I went hunting for them last week.

They were blooming right on schedule. 

For a flower so brightly colored, they are surprisingly difficult to see and must be stalked. Click to enlarge.

Here's a nice one, showing off its twisting sepals and puffy pouch. 

I also saw this adorable eastern chipmunk.

The New Jersey Pine Barrens -- dark pools, interesting plants, cute mammals, and a legendary resident Devil. What's not to like?

A Walk in Maine

One day last week I took a walk in Maine -- on the nearly mile long breakwater to the lighthouse in Rockland Harbor. 

The Rockland Harbor Breakwater Light.

The breakwater that leads to the lighthouse is made of large stone blocks with cracks between them. You have to watch your footing! 

Looking back along the breakwater to the land.  Phew! 

On both sides of the breakwater, double-crested cormorants, Phalacrocorax auritus, were diving for fish. 

Herring gulls, Larus argentatus, were swimming among the lobster buoys. This is an adult in winter plumage.

Click on the photos to enlarge. 

Chipmunks were running around in the little park where the breakwater begins. This is the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus.