Isotria verticillata (Large Whorled Pogonia orchid) -- a rare, double-flowered plant

On Saturday, after more than a week of rain and another four days of additional rain being predicted, I somehow convinced two of my flickr buddies, Alan Cressler and Kelvin Taylor (and his cousin, Cathy Howell) to join me at the orchid site in Brevard, North Carolina. We were fortunate that the threatening rain did not materialize until we were leaving.

Thus, the diffused lighting was just about perfect for photography, and the flowers were in perfect bloom, as well.

We even saw one double-flowered plant -- a very rare find for this species.

Just to prove that it's a small world: When we arrived on site, another photographer was already sprawled out, capturing these beauties with his digital camera. His name is John Horner, and he is an old friend from Illinois. I met him a number of years ago through our membership in the Native Orchid Conference. Small world, indeed, when the word gets around about a great orchid location...

For more information about this trip, please check out Jim's Blog...