Bog Orchids

Taken along the Yellowhead Highway between the towns of Blue River and Valemont, this scene is quite typical of the area. There are thousands of bog orchids growing in the ditches and on the banks along the highway, here two species, Platanthera stricta, the Slender Bog Orchis with its green flowers, and Platanthera dilatata, the Tall White Northern Bog Orchis. There are also a few Indian Paintbrush mixed in with the orchids.