Pipsissewa
This is one of my very favorite flowers.
Pipsissewa
The hard leathery leaves are evergreen and are just as green under the snow in the winter.
Purple fringed Orchid
The Purple-fringed Orchids are also blooming now. They can be found along the road in the wet ditches. I photographed this one right by Handberg’s Marine.
Lincoln’s Sparrow
And back in the bog, this little Lincoln’s Sparrow was chipping up a storm. He was riled up about something as you can see by his raised crown. I think there was probably a nest close by with little sparrows ready to fledge. Look at his cute little foot exposed in the branches.
Lincoln Sparrow
The Lincoln’s Sparrow can be distinguished from other Sparrow’s by the buffy wash and the fine black streaks on it’s breast. This sweet little Sparrow has a beautiful song and that’s the best way to i.d. this bird.
Beautiful photos!
Coincidentally, my blog post for today was also on the Lesser Purple-fringed Orchid! http://dantallmansbirdblog.blogspot.com
Beautiful photos! I came across your blog as I was looking up info on the distinction between ravens & crows. By coincidence, the article I was taken to was from Crane Lake – right here in northern Minnesota, where we seem to be becoming regulars & are even considering making our home. 🙂 (my husband has done a lot of building work there)
We love the area. My most recent blog post is of our visit to the Gorge!
http://ourfunwithfive.blogspot.com/2012/07/vermillion-gorge-crane-lake-minnesota.html
Love your photos of the Gorge! They capture the beauty of that scenic area. It always strikes me that it is so green over there. The moss is sometimes referred to as “Canadian carpeting”!