Platanthera lacera (Green fringed orchid)

After we left the Mt. Mitchell area, we drove north on the Blue Ridge Parkway for a couple of hours. We finally arrived at an overlook where our friends Neil and Jen had seen the Green adder's-mouth orchids in bloom. With excellent directions, we found them in no time at all. There were several plants in full bloom, which gave each one of us (Walter, Alan, and me) opportunity to photograph our "own" plant for a while.

When we finished at that site, we drove farther north and found another pull off where Neil and Jen had found some Green fringed orcids. Again, their directions were spot on! It was getting late, but we continued to photograph these wonderful orchids. I took my last shot around 9:00 pm! Then we prepared for our 3-hour drive home. What a good day with great friends...